A speech- and hearing-impaired man has been charged with a variety of sex crimes allegedly committed against two young girls.

Edward James "Jamie" Goins, 33, of Pikeville Avenue in Graysville, was named in an original indictment issued earlier this month by the Rhea County Grand Jury. Goins has been charged with rape of a child, rape, aggravated sexual battery, sexual battery and two counts of incest.

Chief Deputy Charles Byrd with the Rhea County Sheriff's Department, who investigates sex crimes for the county, began investigating the alleged crimes in June. He said the sexual assaults apparently took place throughout the spring and possibly began last year. The two girls, now 12 and 14, were 11 and 13 at the time of the incidents, Byrd said.

Goins, who had access to the girls on a regular basis and knew them well, committed the alleged sexual assaults at an undisclosed location in Graysville, according to the chief deputy.

In June, the girls finally told an adult about the incidents. That individual then contacted the sheriff's department. Byrd interviewed the girls on June 11 and then questioned Goins later that night with the aid of a sign language interpreter. Goins reportedly broke down and confessed to all the charges.

Goins is free on $20,000 bond.