Man Who Bribed Child with Candy Deemed Competent to Stand Trial

SAN ANGELO, TX – The man deemed not competent to stand trial for molesting a child and luring her with candy has been reevaluated.

According to court documents, on May 25, deputies with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the 4000 block of St. Anthony's street for the report of a sexual assault involving a child.

When the deputies arrived they spoke with the residence of the house who informed them of the events that transpired that night. One of the witnesses told deputies that they found Cameron Simmons, 18, molesting a child in a pump house behind the house. 

The man continue by telling officers that he detained the man and brought him to the front of the house and questioned him. The affidavit states that Simmons told the witnesses that he was molesting the victim. 

Deputies then detained Simmons and spoke with him. After waiving his rights, Simmons told deputies that he took the victim to the back of the house to molest her. He admitting to bribing the child with money and candy. He also told the deputies that tricked the child and placed the money down the child's pants.

During an interview with the Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, the child confirmed all the things that had happened. She added that Simmons had taught her a special way to venture to the house in attempts to lure the child to the back yard. Once back there he carried the child to a bushy area.

Simmons was then arrested and booked into the Tom Green County Detention Facility for aggravated kidnapping that caused bodily injury or sexual abuse and indecency with a child by sexual contact. He was indicted for these charges on July 8. 

Following his indictment, Simmons claimed he was insane and demanded a competency hearing. During the initial hearing on Sep. 22, Simmons was declared not competent but was to be sent to the Big Spring Mental Hospital for 120 days for evaluation.

Simmons returned to Tom Green County and on Jan. 25 had another competency hearing. This time a psychiatrist from the Big Spring Mental Hospital deemed Simmons competent. Following the hearing, Simmons attorney sent a letter to judge asking to get another opinion on wether or not Simmons was competent during the time of the crime.

The judge has not answered.

Until then Simmons is behind bars in the Tom Green County Detention Facility. His bond is set at $150,000.