Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting woman on USU’s Old Main Hill

LOGAN — A former Utah State University student and fraternity member, Scott R. Simmons, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a fellow student on Old Main Hill. The now 22-year-old Arizona resident accepted a plea deal that will keep him from going to trial next month.

Simmons appeared in 1st District Court Friday morning. He pleaded guilty to forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped a rape charge and agreed not to ask that the defendant be sentenced to prison.

According to police, Simmons met the then 18-year-old woman in September 2015, during a party that was being thrown by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Afterwards, the two walked to the amphitheater, on Old Main Hill where he began taking her clothes off, asking to have sex with her.

Prosecutors report the woman said no repeatedly. Simmons continued though until he had sexually assaulted her.

Officers spoke to Simmons while investigating the assault. After first denying the allegations, he later admitted to it, blaming his actions on being a “horny freshman” and the victim being intoxicated. He later wrote an apology letter that said in part, “What happened was my fault, you were intoxicated and could not consent. I took advantage of you when I should not have.”

Simmons spoke only briefly during Friday’s court appearance, telling Judge Kevin Allen that he was willingly giving up his right to a fair trial and that he was guilty. He also acknowledged that he understood, when Judge Allen explained that he could still sentence him to prison, regardless of what the attorneys recommended.

Sentencing is being delayed until January 7, to accommodate the defendant’s and victim’s school schedule.


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