Former Jackson, MS officer sentenced to life for sexual assault

A former Jackson, MS, police officer was sentenced to life in federal prison, an upward departure from the 20 year sentence in a Jackson, MS federal court in 2005 he got for sexually assaulting a 19 year old woman while on duty, but 7 years lower than the lower end of sentencing guidelines. The same judge,U.S. District Judge William Barbour Jr., sentenced Maceo Williams, 53, him to life, citing the betrayal of trust by a police officer and sentencing guidelines.

U.S. Department of Justice attorney Paige Fitzgerald had argued at Simmons’ original sentence that he should face life in prison for violating the woman’s civil rights. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ordered him resentenced based upon a motion by the U.S. attorney general's office.The Appeals Court noted the sentence was seven years less than the low end of federal sentencing guidelines.

Simmons was convicted March 1, 2005, in federal court in Jackson of committing sexual assault while acting under the color of law.

The victim, who was 19 at the time of the assault, said that after a traffic stop Sept. 19, 1999, Simmons took her in his patrol car to a remote spot and sexually assaulted her while a second officer acted as a lookout, according to the court record.The Clarion-Ledger does not identify those alleging sexual assault. The woman said she waited a year before filing a report because she was afraid.

“Police officers are held to a higher trust and you violated that trust....,” Judge Barbour said. He still felt that 20 years was an appropriate sentence, but that departing due to age alone from guidelines calling for life would risk appeal again.