Man Gets 60 Years in Prison for Sex with Teens

A man who was already a convicted sex offender when Florida cops say he had sex with underage girls is set to spend the next six decades behind bars.

Titusville resident Todd Simmerman was recently sentenced to 60 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sex crimes involving two teenage girls. The 30-year-old Simmerman had sexual relationships with the minors during the same time that he was supposed to be registered as a sex offender, according to law enforcement officers.

“This repeated child predator will spend the rest of his natural life in prison, thanks to HSI special agents and our partners at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office,” said David Pezzutti, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Central Florida said. “While we cannot undo the damage of his horrible crimes, we hope that this sentence helps with the healing process for his victim.”

The case was the result of a joint investigation by the federal Homeland Security Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began when a 15-year-old girl told cops that she had had a sexual relationship with Simmerman, according to Space Coast Daily. Police determined that he used the Snapchat social media app to lure at least one victim in and that he actively recorded the sexual encounters.

The Simmerman case is yet another example of how seriously law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges take allegations of sexual offenses.

Whether it is sex with a minor, internet crimes or sex trafficking, a conviction can mean serious prison time. That is not to mention the stigma that can come with having to register as a sex offender, which can isolate friends and family and make it difficult to find and keep a job.

If you or a loved one has been charged with—or is even suspected of—a sex crime in Florida, it’s vital that you seek the assistance of a seasoned Fort Lauderdale sex crimes lawyer.

A lawyer can help build the strongest possible defense in the case, fighting the charges head-on. The earlier that you seek legal advice, the better chance you have of avoiding a conviction or reducing the charges.

At Whittel & Melton, we represent clients throughout Florida who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses, including sexual assault, rape and child pornography.

Our firm handles cases throughout the state, including in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola. Contact us online or call 866-608-5529 for a free evaluation with a Fort Lauderdale sex crimes lawyer.