White Pine police say a 58-year-old man is behind bars after an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a child that stretched across nearly two years. Officers identified the suspect as Thomas C. Payne and said he is facing multiple felony counts, including one count of rape of a child and five counts of aggravated sexual battery. The department said the case is still very much active as investigators work on additional leads.
According to a post from the White Pine Police Department, the investigation began after a report came in last Thursday. The alleged abuse is reported to have taken place between January 2022 and December 2023, when the victim was said to be 11 or 12 years old. Payne was arrested Wednesday in Greeneville, police said, and more charges are expected as detectives continue their work. The department added that, for now, it will not release any further identifying information about those involved.
Police statement and timeline
"We remain committed to supporting the victim with dignity and respect," the department wrote in its public statement on the White Pine Police Department page. Officers also urged anyone with information about the case to contact investigators directly. The post offers only limited details about the alleged conduct and does not disclose any identifying information about the victim. Investigators say the case remains active while detectives track down and verify new leads.
Charges and what they mean under Tennessee law
Rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery are among the most serious sexual offenses on the books in Tennessee and carry some of the harshest penalties the state can impose. Under state law, rape of a child is defined as the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim who is more than three but less than 13 years old. The offense can come with a mandatory minimum prison term. Aggravated sexual battery is separately defined in the Tennessee code and can be prosecuted as a Class B felony when certain circumstances are met.
For those who want to read the legal fine print themselves, see Tennessee Code §39-13-522 and §39-13-504 on Justia and Justia for the relevant statutes and potential penalties.
Next steps and victim resources
The White Pine Police Department says detectives are continuing to build the case and will present their findings to prosecutors for review. The town lists the White Pine Police non-emergency line as 865-674-7771 in the White Pine town directory for anyone who may have tips or information.
Victims and families looking for help do not have to navigate this alone. Local support is available through the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee at the Helen Ross McNabb Center, which operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at (865) 522-7273. Statewide victim services are also coordinated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
These remain allegations, and Payne is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. This story will be updated as new court filings or additional official statements are released.
