Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Seneca Man on Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Charge

Thomas Jay Simmons

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A Seneca man remains in jail today after being arrested yesterday on a charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – 1^st Degree.

30 year old Thomas Jay Simmons, of Airport Road, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 9:54pm Wednesday.  Simmons was denied bond and will appear before a Circuit Court Judge, at a later date, regarding his bond.

The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation on August 25^th after a family member of the victim spoke with a Deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division at the Law Enforcement Center in reference to a report of child abuse.  The victim in the investigation is a child.

The Department of Social Services was contacted and the investigation was forwarded to a Violent Crimes Investigator with the Criminal Investigation Bureau. 

Based upon evidence that was obtained during the investigation, and according to an arrest warrant, Simmons forced the victim to perform a sexual act on him and also sexually assaulted the victim this year. 

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.  In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, and that of the victim who is a minor, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, either directly or indirectly, identify the victim in this investigation.