Thygesen to appear in court for rape charge

From: Jackson Sun, TN - Nov 18, 2003

Brandon Thygesen, 19, will appear Dec. 30 in Crockett County Circuit Court to face two counts of rape of a child.

Thygesen, of Tenn. 186 in Gibson, is accused of raping a preschool-aged relative in her Gadsden bathroom on May 9 while her parents briefly left the house, according to an affidavit filed in Crockett County General Sessions Court.

Thygesen attended the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville and stayed with his grandmother in Gibson on weekends when the school closed, officials said.

He was not allowed to return to the school after the incident. An interpreter is helping Thygesen, who uses sign language, reads lips and writes, communicate with investigators.

Thygesen was indicted June 9. If found guilty of the Class A felony, he will face 10 to 15 years in prison.

Copyright 2003 The Jackson Sun