Springfield man gets 35 years for array of child sex crimes

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A 32-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for several sex crimes against children.

Prosecutors said James Simons, a registered sex offender, persuaded children to produce and send him sexual images of themselves. Evidence presented in court showed that over the course of 15 days in August 2020, Simons communicated online with someone he believed was 15 years old. Despite this, he discussed engaging in sexual activity with them, asked for their address, and sent them child pornography.

On Aug. 28, 2020, he confirmed the 15-year-old was alone in their home and drove to their address expecting to engage in sexual activities. Instead, he was arrested and has been in custody ever since.

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Simons pleaded guilty in December to sexual exploitation of a child, distribution and receipt of child pornography, attempted enticement of a minor, use of interstate facilities to attempt to transmit information about a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. He also faced penalties for committing these crimes as a registered sex offender.

Now, he will spend the next 35 years behind bars. After his prison time is served, the will have a lifetime of supervised release.

“This sentence sends a strong message to every perpetrator that the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and its law enforcement partners prioritize the protection of children and will use every resource at our disposal to ensure that the internet is not used by predators as their hunting ground,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs.

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The FBI Springfield Field Office, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Springfield Police Department, and the Illinois State Police worked together on the investigation.

The case was brought forward as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

“The FBI prioritizes investigations that protect children,” said David Nanz, FBI Springfield’s Special Agent in Charge. “This substantial sentence resulted from the dedicated efforts of our agents and law enforcement partners who work around the clock to stop perpetrators who harm our children.”

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