A Dayton man was indicted by the Rhea County Grand Jury Monday on one count of aggravated sexual battery of a child.

A 10-year-old Soddy Daisy girl was staying at the home of Richard Gauna, 46, of Black Oak Estates Road, during the weekend of Jan. 29, when the assault allegedly occurred, according to Investigator Rocky Potter, who investigates crimes against children for the Rhea County Sheriff's Department.

The girl was playing video games in the basement of the home on Jan. 29 when Gauna came downstairs and took her into an adjacent laundry room where he sexually assaulted the girl, according to Potter.

The girl told her mother about the assault a couple of days after it occurred, the mother told a Red Bank police officer, who put them in touch with Potter.

Based on the girl's statement, Potter interviewed Gauna who eventually confessed and gave Potter a written statement, according to the investigator.

"The little girl was a very credible witness," Potter said. "She was able to recount the whole incident in detail."

Potter presented the case to the Rhea County Grand Jury for an original indictment. Gauna was arrested Wednesday on the Grand Jury's capias and subsequently released on a $10,000 bond. His next scheduled appearance in Rhea County Circuit Court will be May 6.

Aggravated sexual battery is a Class B felony, which carries a sentencing range of eight to 12 years in prison.

John Carpenter can be reached at jcarpenter@xtn.net.