'Appalling' And 'Disturbing': Nashville Man Convicted Of Child, Animal Sex Abuse

NASHVILLE, TN — A 29-year-old Nashville man faces up to 134 years in prison after his conviction in what prosecutors called one of the most "disturbing" and "appalling" sex abuse cases ever in Davidson County.

A jury took less than an hour to convict Jeremy Ledbetter of two counts each of rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery of a victim under 13, inducing sexual activity by a minor and one count of displaying sexual acts to a minor. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

The three days of testimony included Ledbetter's young victim testifying the rape and abuse began when he was 10 and lasted for two years. Other testimony included evidence of sexual abuse of both children and animals.

“All victims of child sexual abuse who testify in front of their abusers are brave to do so,” Assistant District Attorney Chad Butler said in a statement. “The young victim, in this case, was particularly courageous for standing up and testifying about the type of humiliating abuse he suffered at the hands of Jeremy Ledbetter."

Ledbetter will be sentenced August 18.

Image via Metro Nashville Police Department