A man who reportedly had improper sexual contact with a minor in his care has been sentenced to serve 10 years in prison.

Thomas Darren Parson, 44, entered guilty pleas Wednesday in Circuit Court to charges of sexual battery by an authority figure and solicitation of a minor. He was ordered by Judge Bart Stanley to serve 10 years in the Tennes-see Depart-ment of Corrections and register as a sex offender for life. 

According to indictments issued by the Warren County Grand Jury in October 2021, Parson engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a juvenile between the dates of Feb. 14 and June 30, 2020. The child was 14 at the start of that timeframe and turned 15 before the end of it.

The indictment for sexual battery says Parson used his authority over the teen “to accomplish the sexual contact.”

The indictment for solicitation of a minor says Parson tried to persuade the teen to have a sexual encounter. The indictment on that charge reads as follows:

“Between the dates of April 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020, in Warren County, Tenn., and before the finding of this indictment, did by means of oral, written or electronic communication, electronic mail or internet services, directly or through another, intentionally command, request, hire, persuade, invite or attempt to induce (the victim), a person who Thomas Darren Parson knows, or should know, is less than 18 years of age, to engage in conduct that, if completed would constitute a violation by Thomas Darren Parson of the following offense: Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure.”