Signal Mountain man sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in child rape case
Stephen Rapaport giving a statement at his sentencing hearing shortly before receiving three consecutive life sentences.
Content warning: We do want to warn you that many of the details in this story are disturbing.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Signal Mountain man who pleaded guilty to over 50 counts of child sex abuse learned his final sentence this afternoon.
Stephen Rapaport was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on charges such as aggravated rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery.
Investigators say that Rapaport committed the abuse over a long period of time to multiple children on nearly a daily basis.
Prosecutor Nicole Evans said that based on a report conducted by forensic investigator Dr. Judit Parker, that Rapaport, “(Had) admitted to having a sexual intent, and that he did not contemplate on the pain he caused with his abuse as he was focused on his own sexual gratification.”
The lead detective on the case, Scott Terry, said that Rapaport had nearly a million files encrypted on his computer that mostly contained child sex abuse materials.
The files were so encrypted according to Terry through bitlocker that had been installed on his computer, which Rapaport had also used for his career as a paralegal.
They had to be broken into by specialized agents at the FBI’s office in Quantico, Virginia.
Terry said, “Inside of there is just thousands of files that have names and as you’re scrolling, you double click on it and it was child sex abuse material in all the ones that I opened up… someone would have to sit there to verify and identify each and every single one. It would take months if not years with that many.”
He added that the content of the files were so overwhelming it “became emotionally distressing for him” during his investigation.
Dr. Parker, says that she found that Rapaport would have a high likelihood of reoffending if ever released during an evaluation during Rapaport’s incarceration.
Her evaluation was, “It was not just a few instances of someone having a psychotic break or an emotional distress episode and acting out. It was very calculated, preplanned, predatory behavior that lasted for years consistently… He never thought that he would be caught. He just didn’t care that it was illegal.”
Rapaport took to the stand himself where he read a pre written apology letter saying he had experienced abuse as a child and argued that it was the root cause of his actions.
He said, “I was too ashamed to seek help when I needed it. That help could’ve prevented this tragedy.”
He added that he had watched child pornography since he was a teenager following that abuse, saying, “It desensitized me to child sexual abuse. it turned me into a monster who did not care about the effects of abusing children.”
Rapaport’s defense attorney Lee Davis argued that life without parole was enough of a sentence, saying it was unusual for someone who had pleaded guilty to get consecutive life sentences.
However, prosecutors said that wasn’t enough to bring justice.
Prosecutor Stephani Brown told Judge Patterson, “Separate consecutive sentences is in the interest of justice in this case.”
One witness, who we are not naming, testified in favor of the consecutive sentences, “This abuse happened during the most formative years of their childhood. When children are supposed to learn what safety feels like and who they can trust.”
This case inspired a Tennessee bill sponsored by Representative Greg Martin of Hamilton County that will go into effect in July that expands aggravated factors eligible for the death penalty related to child rape convictions.
