Defendant Convicted of Abusing Four-Year-Old

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who molested a child from the time she was four until she turned twelve.  Jarrett David Simoneaux, 48, was convicted of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery.  Judge Hector Sanchez revoked Simoneaux’s bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on February 17 where he faces eight to twelve years in prison without the possibility of parole for each count.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Heather Ens explained to the jury that, beginning when the victim was four years old, Simoneaux would molest the victim when she was at her grandmother’s house.  The abuse continued for several years until the victim disclosed the abuse to her parents in 2021.  Knoxville Police Department Detectives Todd Hardin and Shaun Sakovich led the investigation and interviewed Simoneaux, who admitted abusing the child. 

“The bravery of the victim and the professionalism of law enforcement led to the successful prosecution of this case,” said DA Allen.

Aggravated Sexual Battery is a Class B felony that carries a punishment between eight and twelve years in prison.  At sentencing, prosecutors will seek consecutive sentences for all three counts.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kara Sowards and Legal Secretary Erin Morrison aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.