ALLEGAN, Mich. — Allegan Public Schools fired its aquatics director after he was charged with criminal misconduct, accused of sexually assaulting a student.
Superintendent James Antoine announced Tuesday that Scott Simmons had been terminated as the district's aquatics director after participating in a criminal investigation alongside the sheriff's office.
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. During the course of the investigation, it's alleged he sexually assaulted the minor girl several times.
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.
Simmons is facing four charges— third degree criminal sexual conduct involving a student between the ages of 16 and 18, possession of child sexually abusive material, using a computer to commit a crime and fourth degree criminal sexual conduct with a student.
If convicted of all four, Simmons faces a maximum of 37 years in prison.
Superintendent Antoine said in a letter to parents Tuesday saying in part, "We want to assure our community that this incident is not reflective of the dedicated and compassionate staff members who work diligently every day to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for our students."
"We are deeply saddened by this situation and remain committed to fostering an environment of trust, respect and accountability."
Another former aquatics director for Allegan Public Schools, James Baird, was also accused of misconduct involving students.
"As early as 2007, defendant Baird was sexually harassing girls on a swim team at an Allegen [sic] school and several of the girls quit the swim team as a result," a lawsuit filed against Baird last week alleges.
"An internal investigation was conducted forbidding him to work with female students."
Baird was terminated by the district around 2010. There are several lawsuits pending against him.
Investigators with the Allegan County Sheriff's Office encourage anyone who may have been victimized by Simmons to reach out.
Call the Sheriff’s Office at (269) 673-0500 or submit completely anonymous tips to Silent Observer at 1-855-SILENT-0.
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 alleged crime have been removed from this article.
