A former educator at an Idaho charter school is scheduled to stand trial this month on federal charges involving the sexual exploitation of a young child. Benjamin Thomas Simms, 35, faces serious penalties as the case moves through the United States District Court.
Federal Charges and Legal Timeline
Simms previously worked as a paraprofessional and taught music to students in kindergarten through third grade at American Heritage Charter School. He is no longer listed on the school’s staff directory.
The legal proceedings against Simms began with state charges filed in March, alleging felony possession of child sexually explicit materials and felony lewd conduct with a minor. Additional state charges were added in April, including three counts of lewd conduct with a child and three counts of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In June, the state cases were dismissed. Federal prosecutors subsequently filed charges against Simms in late July. The federal indictment includes counts for sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography. All three sets of charges involve the same four-year-old victim.
Investigation Details
The investigation originated after Snapchat submitted a CyberTip to authorities. The tip included 15 pieces of media showing the young boy being used to create explicit content. Idaho’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led the inquiry into the videos.
Investigators identified Simms by matching the lower half of a man’s face, visible in some of the illicit content, to his likeness. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Shelley, Bingham County. The location matched places depicted in the explicit material.
During an interview at the Shelley Police Station, Simms was read his Miranda rights. According to court documents, he admitted to creating the content. He stated that he produced the material for the sexual gratification of contacts on social media because he felt anxious and bored.
Court Schedule
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for October 6 at 4 p.m. before United States District Judge David C. Nye. The jury trial is set to begin on October 10 at 1:30 p.m.
If found guilty, Simms faces a maximum prison sentence of 50 years.