An Overton County man was convicted today in court of the rape of a child.

In October 2018, investigators with the Livingston Police Department and the District Attorney General’s Office looked into allegations that 29-year-old Earl Junior Pike, Jr. committed sexual offenses against a 7-year-old female that was living in his home.

As the investigation progressed, evidence was obtained that indicated Pike raped and sexually battered the child. During the investigation, Pike was interviewed by investigators. During this interview, Pike admitted that he sexually penetrated the child.

Search warrants were obtained by investigators to search the home in which the sexual offenses occurred and well as to collect DNA from Pike. The physical evidence collected pursuant to these search warrants supported the confession of Pike and the disclosure of the child.

Evidence obtained from the investigation was presented to the Overton County Grand Jury. An indictment was issued by the grand jury on January 28, 2019.

Today in court (November 6, 2019), Pike entered a guilty plea in Overton County Criminal Court to rape of a child.

Pike received a 25 year sentence for the rape. He also received a 12 year sentence for the aggravated sexual battery case. The two sentences will run consecutive to each other for an effective 37 year sentence. Pike will be transferred to the custody of the Tennessee Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.