Baker Gets 16 Years in Child Rape Case

A Smithville man pleaded guilty on Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court to the rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery.
Judge David Patterson sentenced 33 year old Steven J. Baker to 16 years on the rape charge and 10 years on the aggravated sexual battery offense. The sentences are to run concurrently as one 16 year sentence.
Baker was given credit for days served since December 8th, 2006.
Former Smithville Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano, in a prepared news release last December, stated that” Officers working with the Department of Children Services had been investigating a third party report suggesting that Baker had possibly been sexually active with a 12 year old family member.”
“Upon contacting Baker, the investigators were able to determine that he had a lengthy liaison over the last three years with the minor and other female juveniles living around his residence”.
Chief Stufano said “Baker would lure the children into watching pornographic films and then enter into childish touching games that eventually led to more aggressive sexual contact.”
According to Stufano, “During the course of this investigation, Baker admitted to his past sexual contacts with children.”
In other cases Monday, Gary Gilmore Britt pleaded guilty to sale of controlled substance. He received a four year sentence to serve six months and then be on probation. However, the sentence is to run consecutive to a violation of probation against him in which he must serve 11 months and 29 days. Britt must perform 100 hours of community service work and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. He was also fined $2,000.
47 year old Nickey R. Cantrell pleaded guilty to simple possession/ casual exchange and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, all suspended. He must make restitution of $40. The sentence is to run consecutive to all other DeKalb County convictions against him.
38 year old Michael L. Vance pleaded guilty to evading arrest and received a two year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The sentence is to run consecutive with a violation of probation against him. He was given credit for 157 days served from November 29th, 2006 to May 4th, 2007.
28 year old Robert A. Goff pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance. He received a three year sentence, all suspended to DOC probation except for 120 days to serve. He was fined $2,000 and must make restitution of $80 to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Goff must also perform 100 hours of community service work. The sentence is to run consecutive to a White County case against him. He was given credit for days served since June 30th.