A Rhea County jury found Richard Dewayne Jordan guilty Tuesday night of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl about eight years ago.

Jordan, 34, was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of incest.

Assistant District Attorney General Will Dunn said the state will ask for the maximum sentences meaning that Jordan could face up to 30 years in prison.

Jordan must serve 100 percent of the sentence handed down by the Circuit Court Clerk Judge J. Curtis Smith, Dunn said.

Jordan is currently serving a 12-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. He has five former sexual-related convictions involving children, Dunn said.

"Children who are sexually abused and donÕt understand what is happening have to mature before they realize what happened to them," Dunn said. "The law provides a statute of limitations until the child is 18 years of age to recognize that the child was in that situation. In this case the victim and her sister Ñ when they got older Ñ realized what had happened and decided to prosecute. IÕm glad they did and I think it helps them with closure," he said.

Jordan faces a sentencing hearing Dec. 13 in Rhea County Circuit Court.

The trial began Monday, and the jury heard testimony from both the victim and Jordan.
The victim, now 19 years old, testified that Jordan molested her several times from July of 1992 to Aug. of 1994.

Jordan said he never touched the victim.
Jordan refused to comment on the case Tuesday.

"The jury had to convict solely on the victimÕs testimony of certain instances," said Larry Roddy, attorney for Jordan.

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