A Jackson man charged with raping a girl last year admitted to committing the crime, according to an affidavit of complaint.
Thomas David Blackwell, who is also known as Dave Blackwell, 37, appeared via video link in Jackson City Court Wednesday morning for his arraignment. He is charged with rape of a child.
According to Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-522, rape of a child is defined as the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or the defendant by a victim, if the victim is more than three years of age but less than thirteen years of age. Rape of a child is a Class A felony.
According to the affidavit, on December 26, Blackwell performed oral sex on a girl, who was 12 years old at the time, at the All Suites Hotel, located at 541 Carriage House Drive. During the course of an interview with Special Agent Valerie Troutt, of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Blackwell admitted to drinking heavily on Dec. 26 and getting into bed with the 12-year-old girl. He said the girl kissed him and placed his hand on her breast before he performed oral sex on her.
On March 6, the Tennessee Department of Children's Services notified police about a child sex abuse allegation, according to a news release from the Jackson Police Department.
The release said investigators determined that Blackwell, who was a friend of the girl's family, had sexual contact with the girl.
Blackwell was arrested Tuesday morning at his Jackson apartment, the release said.
During Blackwell's arraignment Wednesday, Judge Blake Anderson read the affidavit and asked Blackwell if he had any other pending cases. Blackwell answered "no." Anderson also asked Blackwell if he was on probation and Blackwell said "no", even though there was a hold placed on Blackwell for violation of probation.
Blackwell admitted to having an alcohol problem and said "I probably need to be in alcohol rehab." Blackwell also said he had a DUI and that alcohol seems to be the root of of his problems.
Anderson set Blackwell's bond at $100,000 and his preliminary hearing was set for 1:30 p.m. on March 28.
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