West Must Register as Sex Offender in Statutory Rape case
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West Must Register as Sex Offender in Statutory Rape case
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
Expectations were heavy last Monday in a case that has loomed over Scott County for much of 2025. The defendant, Ezekial James West, who was originally indicted on 10 counts of statutory rape earlier in the year, appeared in court to determine his future as a sex offender. According to documents obtained by SCN, West, who had already accepted a plea deal in the case – a decision that spared a trial for both victim and defendant – originally faced 12 counts; two were ultimately dismissed.
Of the viable counts, state officials told SCN last week that West ultimately pled guilty to eight – all counts of statutory rape, identified in Tennessee as when an adult engages in sexual penetration with a minor who is legally too young to give consent, even if the minor appears willing. Under Tennessee law, consent is irrelevant in such cases because children lack the legal capacity to agree to sexual activity with someone significantly older. The crime is considered a Class E felony, punishable by prison, though a judge may impose alternative sentencing, including diversion and sex-offender registration.
In fact, West was in court Monday’s for the latter and will, ultimately, be required to register as a sex offender. Therefore, under the terms of his plea agreement, West received a six-year sentence on Judicial Diversion, a sentencing option under Tennessee law that allows a qualifying defendant who pleads guilty to a felony or certain misdemeanors to avoid having a final conviction placed on their criminal record, if they successfully complete all the conditions of their sentence. As part of that arrangement, West must spend 30 days in jail, complete 100 hours of community service, pay court costs, have no contact with the victim, and register as a sex offender.
The case was prosecuted by a District Attorney Pro Tem, appointed after a conflict involving the regular 8th District Attorney General’s office. Authorities confirmed that, though the case is on-going, there is no ongoing investigation and no additional charges are expected. West is scheduled to report to the Scott County Jail four days after Christmas on December 29, 2025, to begin serving the sentence.
