ALLEGAN, Mich. — The former director of the aquatics program for Allegan Public Schools learned how long he will serve behind bars for sexually assaulting a student.
Judge Matthew Antkoviak sentenced Scott Simmons on Monday, April 22 in 48th Circuit Court in Allegan. He pleaded guilty to three counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct in March. In exchange the prosecutor dropped the remaining 7 charges, which including more counts of criminal sexual conduct, possession of child pornography, and using a computer to commit a crime.
According to court documents, Simmons became the target of a criminal investigation after he was found inside a car alone with a female student at Memorial Park in Otsego on the evening of September 20.
The documents go on to detail a meeting between Simmons and Superintendent Antoine in which Simmons was terminated.
According to the documents, Simmons said during the meeting that "he knows he will never be working with kids or students ever again."
Investigators state Simmons refused to take personal responsibility.
He allegedly told Superintendent Antoine that he was the target of "an elaborate scheme to destroy him," claiming he had been "forced to do tings [sic] that is not part of his character."
"Simmons states that if he did not obey [redacted] there would be consequences and he was in fear for himself and his family," the court documents allege.
The student gave a statement during the sentencing hearing on Monday. In a copy of the prepared remarks given to FOX 17, the girl says Simmons' actions broke not only her trust, but everyone's.
"I will never ever be able to trust an adult like I used to again," she said. "Before him, I had looked up to adults as someone I could trust. Now I look at them with fear and hesitation in the back of my mind. The overwhelming feeling of the fight or flight response is always triggered, leaving me feeling constantly on edge and never truly at ease."
"Days passed by, and I was dreading the moment when I would have to see him again. But then I realized, I need this; I need closure. This man not only completely destroyed my senior year, but also worsened my mental state."
"Enough damage was done that sometimes my eyes go black and I see him in front of me, touching me, and I can physically feel it, I can feel his hands, I can hear his voice, telling me things. These flashbacks take control over my body and make me feel helpless and weak. I am terrified everyday that the slightest trigger will awaken the painful memories that are inside me."
"I live each day with the mindset that something horrible is going to happen. But this time, I'll know how to get past the men who pull at my clothes and don't listen to my words. The trusted adults who use what they know and make a list of things they'll do to me after they earn my trust. The people who so easily ruin every single thing I've spent my entire life building like it's nothing."
Simmons was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years for each count of criminal sexual conduct.
Scott Simmons Victim Statement Release by WXMI on Scribd
Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) serve children and adolescents who are believed to be victims of abuse — most frequently, sexual abuse.
**If you or someone you know may be a victim, help is available. Click here for more information.**
*Editor's Note: Some specific details of the crime have been removed from the article.
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