Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A Springfield man was sentenced on Tuesday to 35 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Registered sex offender James Simons, 32, pleaded guilty in December to charges of sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, attempted enticement of a minor, use of interstate facilities to attempt to transmit information about a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and penalties for registered sex offenders.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless said at Simon’s sentencing that the government established that the defendant persuaded children to produce sexual images of themselves and send them to him for his sexual gratification.

According to court documents, between August 13, 2020, and August 28, 2020, Simons communicated with an individual online he believed to be fifteen years old. Simons discussed engaging in sexual activity with the minor, asked for the minor’s address, and sent child pornography to the child.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois reports on August 28, 2020, Simon was arrested after driving to the minor’s residence expecting to engage in sexual conduct after confirming that the minor was alone.

“This sentence sends a strong message to every perpetrator that the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and its law enforcement partners prioritize the protection of children and will use every resource at our disposal to ensure that the internet is not used by predators as their hunting ground.” said Assistant United States Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs.

“The FBI prioritizes investigations that protect children,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “This substantial sentence resulted from the dedicated efforts of our agents and law enforcement partners who work around the clock to stop perpetrators who harm our children.”

Simons was indicted in September 2020.  He has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his arrest in August 2020.