18 months for man who sexually assaulted exotic dancer

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A man initially charged with rape for assaulting a dancer at a Johnson City adult entertainment club in late January 2022 was sentenced to 18 months on a reduced charge Tuesday.

Jeffrey Paul Newman, 53, was convicted of sexual battery in a May 2024 jury trial. According to a news release from First Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney’s office, Robin Ray and Abby Wallace of the office’s special victims unit prosecuted the case.

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An affidavit from the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) states that a woman who worked at a local club spoke to Newman for an extended period of time before asking him if he wanted a private dance. Newman accepted and shortly, according to the victim, sexually assaulted her up to the level of rape in a private room in the club’s VIP area.

The victim told interviewers she got away from Newman and told him to go back to the front. According to the affidavit, Newman had left his wallet in the private room. Because the victim had immediately reported the incident, staff from the business called police and said Newman would likely return for his wallet. Newman did return and was arrested.

A Washington County grand jury indicted Newman for rape, a class B felony, in May 2022. On May 6, a jury convicted him of sexual battery, a class E felony.

Class B felonies have sentencing ranges of eight to 30 years in prison, while class E felonies sentencing ranges are one to six years.

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