Rhea County man charged with child rape is sentenced to 11 years in prison

Philip John Mayton
Philip John Mayton

A Spring City, Tenn., man originally charged with rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery in connection with a February 2016 incident involving a child younger than 12 was sentenced in a recent guilty plea to 11 years behind bars.

Philip John Mayton, 22, described as a friend of the victim's family, will be at least 31 years old when he is released from prison after a recent guilty plea to reduced charges in Rhea County Criminal Court. Mayton was originally charged with rape of a child, but in the plea agreement the charge was reduced to aggravated sexual battery in return for the plea deal, according to prosecutors.

A grand jury indictment was handed down late last year, officials said.

photo Philip John Mayton

The investigation was triggered 15 months ago by a disorder call inside the Spring City limits about a ruckus that started over the discovery of the abuse, Rhea County Sheriff's Office investigator Rocky Potter said.

The abuse came to light "when [Mayton] was about to make a visit to the family, the child got upset and the mom asked why," Potter said of a February 2016 incident at the home. "She called authorities."

Potter said there was an altercation at the home when Mayton arrived. The victim and Mayton gave statements to police, Potter said.

"The child was taken to the child advocacy center and the child gave good disclosure," Potter said. "I interviewed [Mayton] and he gave a statement. It was consistent with the child's version of events."

Potter said the victim's family was pleased with the sentence.

The incident happened during calendar year 2014 when the victim was 11 and Mayton was 19, officials said.

In sentencing, since Mayton has no prior record, he will become eligible for parole after he serves 85 percent of his sentence, or a little more than nine years, 12th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Jim Pope said Monday.

The plea was offered by the defense side and the family was agreeable, Pope said.

"That doesn't mean he'll get parole," he said. "It just means he becomes eligible."

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.

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