PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man was convicted of aggravated rape in Putnam County Wednesday in connection with an incident from more than a year ago.
According to District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway for the 13th Judicial District, Jayden Ray Worley was accused of committing aggravated rape against a woman he knew on Feb. 3, 2024. The Cookeville Police Department investigated the allegations.
Officials presented the results of the investigation to the Putnam County Grand Jury, which found probable cause the crime was committed and issued a true bill of indictment formally charging Worley with aggravated rape, Dunaway said.
“In this instance, the crime of Aggravated Rape involved the unlawful sexual penetration of the victim by the defendant and the defendant caused bodily injury to the victim,” which is a Class A felony, the district attorney general stated.
Starting on Monday, March 3, this case was tried in front of a Putnam County jury. Then, after days of testimony and proof — including the victim’s testimony, expert medical testimony, witness testimony, and DNA evidence — the jury unanimously convicted Worley of aggravated rape on Wednesday, March 5, according to Dunaway.
After the verdict, Dunaway said the Criminal Court ordered any bond that may have been in place be revoked, and Worley was taken into custody in the courtroom. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 26.
“Please pray for the victim in this case,” Dunaway posted on Facebook on Thursday, March 6. “She showed great courage in coming forward to report this crime and in following through with her testimony describing the worst day of her life.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office website shows 24-year-old Worley is still being held for aggravated rape and aggravated assault.
No additional details have been released about the crime that led to Worley’s conviction.
