Former Jackson, Mississippi Police Officer gets Life for Repeated Rape

Maceo Simmons original sentence of 20 years imprisonment has been reversed on appeal.

August 7, 2008

MS NEWS -- Former Jackson, Mississippi police officer, Maceo Simmons, has been sentenced to life in prison for repeatedly raping a 19-year-old woman, which he and another Jackson police officer had detained after a traffic stop. Simmons was originally sentenced to a term of 20 years imprisonment, but that sentence was reversed on appeal.

In September, 19, 1999, the victim was a passenger in a car that was pulled over by Jackson police officers for running a stop sign. Simmons handcuffed the victim and placed her in the back of his patrol car. The he and his accomplice, another Jackson police officer drove to a remote and isolated location, and repeatedly raped the victim while the second officer acted as a lookout.

The federal court's decision on August 4, 2008, shows the growing sentiment within the U.S. justice system to end this type detestable conduct, and that it will not be tolerated.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said, "The court's sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant's egregious conduct. Although nothing can erase the scars of a rape, hopefully, the court's action will help the victim feel safer knowing that the perpetrator is behind bars for life."

The convictions resulted from an investigation by:

• Special Agent Brendan Sheehan, formerly with the Jackson office of the FBI
• Special Litigation Counsel Paige Fitzgerald
• Trial Attorney Karima Maloney from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division

Finally, response to the federal court's decision in the former Jackson, Mississippi police officer, Maceo Simmons rape case has received wide approval among law enforcement personnel across the U.S.. Job well done!

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