ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. — On Monday Scott Simmons, Allegan Public Schools former Aquatics Director, pled guilty to criminal charges related to an inappropriate relationship with a student who is a minor.
Simmons is facing 10 different charges in relation to the incidents which took place between Aug. 26 and Sep. 28 of last year.
On Monday, he pled guilty to three of those charges, all three being charges of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree involving a student. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison as well as mandatory AIDS and STD testing. Each of the three charges will also require Simmons to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
The child victim was between the ages of 16 and 17. Simmons admitted to using his relationship as the child's aquatic director to establish a relationship. He also admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the victim.
In court on Monday the judge also revoked Simmons' bond pending sentencing.
"In this particular case, if Mr. Simmons were to have contact with any of the individuals within (the aquatic program), there is a potential that there could be some danger to the community or potentially other persons," said the judge.
Simmons was fired from his position at the school back in October of last year when the school was made aware of the charges being filed against him.
Court documents allege that Simmons and the victim would meet up at different locations in Allegan County, Holland and at Simmons' home.
When first interviewed by police, the student denied having a relationship with Simmons, but later told staff at Allegan High School that she had lied to police.
During another interview with police, the student said that they had kissed and touched each other. The student also told police that Simmons was helping her with her depression.
When contacted by police, the student's parents said they were aware that she was speaking to Simmons but didn't realize that they were meeting outside of school.
Police said they first made contact with Simmons on Sept. 20 when he was found at Memorial Park after it closed with the student. He told police he was helping her out with some depression issues.
Police followed up by executing a search warrant at Simmons' home. Investigators say they found conversations between Simmons and the student on his phone and corroborated them after the student's mother allowed police to search her phone.
The two phones were used to identify times when the two met up, based on GPS records.
Simmons' also was also allegedly given access to photos and videos of the student through her Snap Chat account.
In his initial interview with police, Simmons said he was forced into his encounters with the student.
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