A Syracuse man charged with raping a 13-year-old neighbor and coercing the
girl to send nude photos of herself to him over a cell phone is among the
first cases that will be prosecuted under Utah's new Jessica's Law.
Jonathan Kent Simmons, 28, was charged in 2nd District Court this week
with first-degree felony rape of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor, a
second-degree felony.
Syracuse police arrested Simmons on July 23 after receiving information
from the girl's parents and an anonymous tip alleging that he was involved
with the teenager, said Lt. Tracy Jensen.
Simmons later confessed to police that he had sex with the girl on July
16, according to charging documents. Police said he also admitted asking the
girl to send nude photographs of herself to him through her cell phone.
The girl complied with the request, and Simmons kept the images stored in
his cell phone, charges state.
If convicted, the rape allegation could land Simmons behind bars for a
minimum of 25 years under Jessica's Law.
Thus far, Davis County prosecutors haven't reported seeing many child rape
cases applicable to Jessica's Law. Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings said
Wednesday he believes Simmons case is the county's first.
Alicia Cook, a spokeswoman for the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office,
said that to date she knows of only one case in her county that may be
prosecuted under Jessica's Law.
Simmons allegedly met his 13-year-old victim in Syracuse and struck up a
relationship with the girl, who lived nearby.
Wanted by Nebraska authorities in connection with a child rape case and
drug distribution in that state, Simmons may have other victims in Utah,
Jensen said.
Simmons this week waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will be
arraigned Aug. 14 before Judge Thomas Kay. He is being held in the Davis
County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
mrogers@sltrib.com