A 64-year-old man has been convicted of sexually abusing two children over an almost 10-year period.

Raymond Scott Putman was found guilty Wednesday. The jury returned the verdict after 20 minutes of deliberations.

Putman was indicted in July 2021 on eight counts of sexual abuse by forceable compulsion and one count of second-degree sodomy against one child, beginning at age 12, along with five counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, one count of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, two counts of second-degree sodomy and two counts of unlawful distribution of material harmful to a minor involving a second child.

The sexual exploitation of the second child began when she was 8 years old.

Putman was taken into custody after the verdict was announced. A sentencing hearing has been set for March 21, 2024.

This case was investigated by Blount County sheriff’s Sgt. Ed Hull. Professional services were provided to both children by the Blount County Children’s Center and the Blount County Department of Human Resources.

“I will never understand how or why an adult could or would exploit a child, an innocent child, for sexual pleasure,’’ said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. “There is nothing more vile or disgusting than the sexual exploitation of an innocent child.”

“I am grateful for the individual who had the courage to step forward and report this abuse, the social workers and members of law enforcement who work every day to prevent and end such abuse, and the members of my staff who work on these cases on a daily basis,’’ Casey said. “These jobs are not easy, but they are necessary. And my office will continue to do what we can to bring sexual predators to justice.”