Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse
Man Sentenced to 3 Years After Pleading Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Battery of Norfolk Child
NORFOLK, Va. – Denzell Maurine Sims, 31, was sentenced on Friday to serve three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual battery for inappropriately touching his ex-fiancée’s child last year.
On Nov. 26, the mother of the child contacted Norfolk Police to report Mr. Sims, who the child said touched her private areas under her clothes on at least two occasions while he supervised her when her mother was at work. Mr. Sims confessed to touching the child in the described manner on one occasion.
On March 18, Mr. Sims pleaded guilty to the aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13, and Judge David W. Lannetti accepted Mr. Sims’ plea agreement with a maximum active sentence of four years and six months.
On Friday, Judge Lannetti sentenced Mr. Sims to serve three years in prison and suspended another seven years on the conditions that Mr. Sims be of uniform good behavior for 10 years following his release, comply with supervised probation for an indefinite period during that time, have no contact with the victim or her family, register as a sex offender, and comply with any recommended psychosexual treatments.
“We all have a duty to protect our most vulnerable fellow citizens, especially our children, from harm,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Sims took advantage of his victim’s innocence and his fiancée’s trust. Now, for the protection of the community, he will serve prison time and register as a sex offender.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Keith M. Proctor prosecuted Mr. Sims’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective LaRue D. Wilkins led the investigation.
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March 20, 2024
Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse
Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Battery of Norfolk Child
NORFOLK, Va. – Denzell Maurine Sims, 31, was convicted in Norfolk Circuit Court on Monday of aggravated sexual battery after pleading guilty to inappropriately touching his ex-fiancée’s child last year.
On Nov. 26, the mother of the child contacted Norfolk Police to report Mr. Sims, whom the child said touched her private areas under her clothes on at least two occasions while he supervised her when her mother was at work. Mr. Sims confessed to touching the child in the described manner on one occasion.
On Monday, Mr. Sims pleaded guilty to the aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13, and Judge David W. Lannetti accepted Mr. Sims’ plea agreement with a maximum active sentence of four years and six months. Mr. Sims is docketed for sentencing on May 31.
“Mr. Sims took advantage both of the child victim and her mother, harming them both,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “To make amends and to protect the community, we will seek a sentence that will hold Mr. Sims accountable.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Keith M. Proctor is prosecuting Mr. Sims’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective LaRue D. Wilkins led the investigation.
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