There likely will be no more trips to New York or Mexico for Donald Edward Lynch.
"I know you're not gonna probably live that long Mr. Lynch, but it is my intent that you never be outside the walls of the Tennessee Department of Correction at any time ever for the rest of your life," retired senior judge Jerry Scott informed Lynch at the conclusion of Friday's sentencing hearing.
Lynch was convicted earlier this month of two counts each of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and aggravated sexual battery, and six counts of rape of a child. For his crimes, Scott ordered Lynch to serve 66 years in prison and pay $400,000 in fines.
Scott's lengthy sentence was supported by testimony from counselors who spoke of the traumatic effect his crimes have had and likely will continue to have on his victims -- effects the two counselors say they are all too familiar with in their line of work.
Former KPD Det. David Quillen's testimony also shed light on the content of other videotapes seized from Lynch's home. Hundreds of videotapes were seized, he said, with about half of them containing evidence against Lynch. Twenty-three of the tapes contained child pornography narrated and orchestrated by Lynch, he said.
About a dozen alleged child victims whose cases have not -- and may never -- go to trial range from three years of age to up in the teens, and one alleged victim showed signs of a mental handicap, Quillen said.
When asked about the content of those videotapes, Sullivan Assistant District Attorney Barry Staubus said he couldn't say because it wouldn't be fit for print in a family-oriented newspaper.
Although defense attorney Gene Scott argued in favor of concurrent sentencing, Judge Scott noted several factors that led him to require some of the 8- and 25-year sentences to be served consecutively, rather than at the same time.
Factors that weighed into Judge Scott's sentencing for Lynch included the nature and purpose of the offense as well as Lynch's flights to New York and Mexico.
Scott found that Lynch's criminal history -- three felonies and three misdemeanors -- also warranted a lengthy sentence. Lynch's convictions prior to the June 9 trial include possession of a weapon with intent to go armed, grand larceny, robbery, shoplifting, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and sexual battery.
The following were also factors in Scott's sentencing of Lynch:
- Offenses involved more than one victim
- Victimized for his own gratification
- In possession of firearm during commission of offenses
- Violated a position of private trust
Scott added that there were no applicable mitigating factors.
