From WRIL -
On Thursday, December 30, 2021 a Claiborne County man was arrested on multiple serious sexual offenses involving a child (not his own) that was under his care.
43-year-old Vennis Barnett was booked into the Claiborne County Jail charged with statutory rape by an authority figure, (2) two counts of aggravated sexual battery, (2) two counts of sexual battery, sexual battery by an authority figure, (40) forty counts of aggravated rape, (35) thirty-five counts of rape of a child, and continuous abuse of a child.
New Tazewell Police Chief Ben Evans tells WRIL that this is a joint investigation with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department and more charges are expected in this case.
Vennis Barnett has yet to be arraigned and set bond due to the holiday schedule, but is expected to appear for arraignment by Monday January 3rd when courts are back in session.
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