NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the conviction and 100-year sentence of John David Cunningham, a Rutherford County man found guilty of sexually abusing a young child who was also a relative.

A jury in Murfreesboro convicted Cunningham on seven counts of child rape and six counts of aggravated sexual battery, resulting in an effective sentence of 100 years. Documents from the appeals process indicate that, according to testimony, the abuse occurred repeatedly over several years and ultimately came to light after the child disclosed the assaults during investigative interviews, counseling sessions, and medical related evaluations.

A former neighbor of the victim’s mother testified that she had known the defendant’s family for nearly 19 years and that the mother of the victim told her the defendant had been molesting the child. When the neighbor learned of the sexual abuse, the child was only 6-years-old.

Some of the documented statements from the appeal show that the child was victimized repeatedly, and even took a bath with the man. Details also suggest the abuse likely started before the child turned 6.

On appeal, Cunningham challenged the trial court’s decisions, the sufficiency of evidence presented, along with the imposition of consecutive sentencing. He also contested the trial court’s order regarding deposition transcripts from a divorce case.

The Clerk of the Appellate Courts filed the state's official stance this past Wednesday, September 24, 2025. That end result equals the same outcome that Cunningham originally had before the appeal request was filed... 100-years in a Tennessee Department of Correction prison.

The appellate judge rejected each of Cunningham’s claims, affirming the trial court’s rulings. The case was remanded only to correct judgment forms to reflect the full effective 100-year sentence.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Senior Assistant Attorney General Lacy Wilbur, and Rutherford County prosecutors Jennings Jones, Hugh Ammerman, and Allyson Abbott represented the state in the appeal.

This decision further cements the outcome in ensuring Cunningham will serve the remainder of his life behind bars.

Cunningham will be 133-years-old when his sentence comes to a close in year 2121.