Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Another felony charge of child exploitation has been added to the case against an Akron man.
In early April, James Patrick Simpson, 47, of Akron, was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of child exploitation, a Class C felony, and voyeurism, a Class D felony. Initially, his bond was set at $250,000, but that amount was reduced to $100,000 later in the month. He was ordered to relinquish his passport and gun permits, report to the Kosciusko County Probation on a weekly basis, and stay away from his alleged victim and her school.
The additional charge refers to the same case and the same victim.
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. 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, and Simpson fled the area when he learned about the possible charges, staying 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 turned himself in April 3.
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.
The video was discovered after 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 car was taken to a Holland, Mich., service vendor where the DVD was removed. The service vendor viewed the DVD and turned it over to Holland police.
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.
