Just four days before his trial was set to begin, a former United Tabernacle Church elder has waived his right to a trial by jury and pled guilty to two counts of rape.
Judge Barry Steelman sentenced Cecil Powe, Jr. to 20 years in prison after he admitted to climbing into the room of a 14-year-old female relative and raping her multiple times in January of 2013.
He was indicted for rape, sexual battery by an authority figure, incest and especially aggravated exploitation of a minor for six different dates.
The deal the defendant made with the state only required him to plead guilty to two counts of rape while the other 22 charges were dismissed.
The state attorney said that the agreement was reached with the defendant because certain information the victim would have to testify to would be embarrassing, especially in front of a jury and in open court.
After serving the 12 and eight-year consecutive sentences in the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Powe will be a registered sex offender and under community supervision for life.