CHATTANOOGA — Tyler’s conviction and sentence were confirmed by Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp. "Charles Tyler was convicted by a Hamilton County jury for continuously raping a child," Wamp stated. She added, "This week, Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman sentenced this defendant to 68 years in the department of corrections."

Under Tennessee law, individuals convicted of child rape for offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2007, must serve their full sentence without eligibility for parole or sentence reduction credits. Tyler’s 68-year term adheres to this statutory requirement. The sentence also exceeds typical penalties for such crimes in the state: data from the Tennessee Department of Correction shows that the average incarceration length for child rape during the 2014–2015 fiscal year was approximately 25 years.

The severity of Tyler’s sentence reflects both the nature of his crime and Tennessee’s strict sentencing laws for offenses against children. Hamilton County, where the conviction and sentencing occurred, is part of a legal system that imposes mandatory full-term sentences for child rape convictions, ensuring offenders serve every year of their imposed penalty.