A former bank vice president with a doctorate was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after a state “sting” operation.
Kirk A. Simmons, 60, of Newark was arrested nearly a year ago and charged by criminal complaint with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
The federal criminal charge results from an online sting operation conducted in June and July 2013 by an undercover Delaware State Police detective posing as a father who posted an online advertisement seeking other men to join him for sex with his 13-year-old daughter, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Delaware.
At the time of the sting operation, Simmons was employed as a Vice President, Market Information Manager II at Bank of America’s Newark facility. Bank of America terminated Simmons’s employment.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Simmons also worked as a “professional private tutor” through WyzAnt Tutoring, “providing private in-home tutoring at the high school and college levels.” He holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Illinois.
Simmons had faced as long as life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years to life following his prison sentence. He also will be required to register as a sex offender.
According to prosecutors, Simmons began his online relationship with the undercover “father” in June 2013, when Simmons responded to a “personals” advertisement for “fam love/taboo” on an adult social networking website.
Through online chats, Simmons indicated and described that he wanted to engage in sexual activity with the purported “father” and his child. After a number of online conversations, the “father” agreed to bring his “13-year-old daughter” to a Newark hotel on July 18.
Simmons was arrested by the Delaware State Police Child Predator Task Force on July 18 after he arrived at a Newark hotel.
In a recorded interview with a Delaware State Police detective, Simmons admitted that he intended to engage in sexual activity with the fictitious “father” and “13-year-old daughter” at the hotel. Simmons also admitted that he brought a digital camera.
Simmons was released from state custody after posting bail in July on a state charge of Attempted Rape Third Degree of a Minor filed in Delaware Superior Court. The Delaware Child Predator Task Force then referred the case to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Attorney’s Office for possible federal prosecution. There was no immediate word on state prosecution.
Following the sentencing hearing, United States Attorney Charles M. Oberly, III stated: “I want to thank the Delaware Child Predator Task Force for its outstanding work in this case. This was a time-intensive, month-long, online undercover investigation that resulted in the capture of a seemingly upstanding and successful businessman who planned to rape a child with her father’s help. I would also like to thank the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for its continued and successful partnership with our state law enforcement partners on this critically important work.”
