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An Akron man accused of videotaping a young girl without her knowledge submitted a plea agreement in Kosciusko Circuit Court this morning.
James Patrick Simpson, 47, of CR 1200W, Akron, was charged with two counts of child exploitation, both Class C felonies, and one count of voyeurism, a Class D felony.
Today Simpson signed a plea agreement and submitted it to Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed. If the plea is accepted, Simpson will plead guilty to one count of child exploitation, a Class C felony, and one count of child exploitation, a Class D felony as a lesser included offense of child exploitation, a Class C felony. The charge of Class D felony voyeurism would be dropped as part of the agreement.
When Judge Reed questioned Simpson in regard to Count I: child exploitation, a Class C felony, Simpson replied, "Guilty, Your Honor."
In regard to Count III: child exploitation, a Class D felony, Simpson replied, "Guilty, Your Honor."
If the plea agreement is accepted, Simpson faces 2 to 8 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for the Class C felony child exploitation, and 6 months to 3 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for the Class D felony child exploitation charge.
In open court, Simpson admitted to taking sexually explicit photos of a child under the age of 18 and possessing photos of a child less than 16 years of age in sexual conduct as defined by the court.
Simpson will appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 to learn if the plea agreement is accepted. If the agreement is accepted, Simpson will be sentenced at that time.
On March 24, police in Holland, Mich., contacted the Warsaw Police Department with information about a DVD that was removed from a CD player in a vehicle sent to Michigan for repair from a Warsaw dealership.
Simpson's wife tried to play the disc in her vehicle. The disc got stuck in the CD player and she took the car to a local dealership for service.
The DVD, which was forwarded to the Warsaw Police Department, reportedly shows a young girl in various states of undress and appears to be recorded without the girl's knowledge.
On March 27, Simpson was confronted about the incident but failed to appear for an interview with detectives from the Warsaw Police Department. A warrant for Simpson's arrest was issued Thursday.
Simpson fled the area after learning about the possible charges, but stayed in contact with police via e-mail and telephone. During that time, Simpson threatened suicide, but eventually was convinced to return to Warsaw.
After talking with a local attorney, Simpson surrendered to police.
According to probable cause documents filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, police believe Simpson used video equipment hidden in an air purifier in the girl's bedroom to make the recordings.
When police went to Simpson's house, they reportedly found a small television, a DVD player and a wireless receiver in an armoire. The woman said Simpson was the only person who would have access to the equipment.
Police said evidence in the home indicated the recording activity had been going on for several months.
Additional evidence of adult and child pornography was found in the home along with examples of other voyeuristic activity.
