BBBTV12 Serving Anderson, Roane, and Morgan Counties
Flock LPR cameras lead to capture of defendant who fled after Day One of his rape of a child trial
KINGSTON, Tenn. — A Roane County jury found Victor Dale Moore, 62, guilty Tuesday of rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, concluding an unusual trial that was interrupted after Moore fled Tennessee during the proceedings.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three charges:
- One count of rape of a child
- Two counts of aggravated sexual battery
Moore, who had dismissed two court-appointed defense attorneys and represented himself, initially went to trial July 28. According to District Attorney General Russell Johnson’s office, Moore failed to return for the second day of testimony July 29 and fled the state.
Authorities later located and arrested Moore in Georgia. He was extradited to Tennessee and held in the Roane County Jail while awaiting the resumption of his trial.
Because of the possibility that Moore could contest extradition, Judge Jeffrey Wicks reset the trial for August 25. The jurors returned Tuesday, heard the remaining evidence and found Moore guilty on all charges.
Prosecutors said automated license plate reader technology was used as part of the effort to track and locate Moore after he fled.
Moore had been free on a $100,000 bond before and during the first day of the trial. The district attorney’s office cited his capture as an example of how Flock license plate reader technology can assist law enforcement in locating fugitives across jurisdictional and state lines.
The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Edwards. Edwards and former Assistant District Attorney Jed Bassett presented the state’s case during the first day of testimony. Bassett was appointed Loudon County General Sessions Court judge August 3, leaving Edwards to complete the trial Tuesday.
Tami Legg served as the victim-witness coordinator for the district attorney’s office.
Johnson’s office thanked the Roane County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Child Advocacy Center and Georgia law enforcement agencies for their work in the investigation, prosecution and apprehension of Moore.
The office also praised the jurors for returning after the unexpected delay and thanked the young victim and her mother for their courage and cooperation throughout the case.
Moore is scheduled to be sentenced September 29 in Loudon County Criminal Court before Judge Wicks.
The rape-of-a-child conviction carries a sentence of 25 to 60 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Each aggravated-sexual-battery conviction carries a possible sentence of eight to 12 years.
According to prosecutors, the offenses require service of 100% of the imposed sentences. Moore will also be subject to lifetime community supervision following any release from incarceration.
The final sentence will be determined by the court during the September hearing.
