After deliberating for nearly seven hours, a Rhea County Jury found Floyd "Butch" Webb guilty of seven sexual offenses against his adopted daughter.

Webb's trial began Thursday, and the jury ended its deliberation Sunday afternoon.

The jury found Webb guilty of four counts of child abuse, a Class A misdemeanor that will carry a $100 fine for each count and up to 11 months and 29 days in jail on each count. The jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual battery, a Class E felony which carries a 1-2-year prison term. He must pay a $150 fine for each count. He was also found guilty of one count of aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony carrying an 8-12-year prison term. Webb has to pay a $500 fine for that charge.

Webb remains in the Rhea County Jail awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 13.

Assistant District Attorney Will Dunn said the judge would decide at the sentencing hearing whether the sentences will run consecutively or concurrently.

"The jury tried really, really hard and long and we appreciate the verdict," Dunn said. "I believe the young victim feels vindicated."

During the trial, Webb's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Jeff Harmon, called Webb's mother, brother-in-law, and two acquaintances to the witness stand.

Webb's mother, Viva Webb, testified that the child had a good relationship with her adoptive father.

However, the child testified that she was afraid of him and did not have a good relationship with him.

Webb's brother-in-law, Wayne Reed, also testified. He told the court that Webb and his adopted daughter had a good relationship and that the child was not kept watch over all the time.

Harmon showed the court a birthday card and father's day card from Webb's daughter, showing that the child signed the cards, "I love you." He said the cards were given when the alleged instances were going on.
Dunn's witnesses included three juvenile acquaintances of the victim who testified that Webb kept her secluded. Neighbors of the family also testified that when she was allowed time with friends, he was always present.

"The state attempted to show that he isolated the victim," Dunn said.

Dunn said the victim's mother also testified that he had isolated his daughter.

"The daughter denied that anything was happening for fear of breaking up the family," Dunn said. "She finally confessed, but was afraid her mother would be upset with her."

Dunn said Webb had raped his daughter from the time she was 9 years old, until she was 13 years old.

Sarah B. Hodge can be reached at shodge@xtn.net