KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – A Roane County man who disappeared during his child sex abuse trial has been sentenced to decades in prison after authorities tracked him across state lines and returned him to Tennessee to face justice.
According to Roane County District Attorney Russell Johnson, 62-year-old Victor Moore was on trial beginning July 28 on charges including rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery involving a child.
Moore chose to represent himself during the jury trial. During his opening statement, he reportedly told jurors that “one bad decision that only lasted a few seconds should not ruin the rest of my life.”
However, prosecutors said Moore failed to appear for the second day of trial, triggering an intensive search by law enforcement.
Investigators checked Moore’s residence, contacted family members and utilized Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to trace his movements. Authorities discovered Moore’s vehicle traveling through Georgia toward the Atlanta area.
According to District Attorney Johnson, Georgia law enforcement officers located and arrested Moore before he could board a bus headed to Florida.
Following his arrest, Moore was extradited back to Roane County, where the trial resumed. Jurors ultimately found him guilty on all charges.
The court sentenced Moore to:
- 40 years for rape of a child
- 10 years for one count of aggravated sexual battery
- 10 years for a second count of aggravated sexual battery
Officials said the sentences will be served in the Tennessee Department of Correction system, with Moore required to serve the sentence at full capacity under Tennessee law.
In addition to his prison sentence, Moore will be required to remain on Tennessee’s sex offender registry for the rest of his life.
Court officials noted that Moore would be approximately 102 years old upon completion of the sentence.
Moore is currently being held in the Roane County Jail awaiting transfer to the Tennessee Department of Correction.
District Attorney Johnson said the case demonstrates both the effectiveness of modern investigative technology and the determination of law enforcement agencies to pursue offenders who attempt to evade prosecution.
