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Ex-Little League Volunteer On Trial In Rape Case

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 25, 2009

TAMPA - Testimony began today in the trial of a youth baseball volunteer accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in May.

The victim said she thought Byron Simmons, 29, was taking her with him to visit a friend. Instead, she testified, she drove her to the secluded back parking lot of Copeland Park on North 15th Street.

The girl said Simmons threatened her and told her not to tell anyone about the assault. She told jurors he offered her $30 and toys to keep quiet.

Simmons was a volunteer with the Belmont Heights Little League, filling in as an umpire. The girl had no association with the league.

Simmons was released from state prison in 2007 after serving five years for an attempted lewd and lascivious act on a child and cocaine-related charges, records show.

Little League officials said they were unaware of Simmons' criminal record.

Simmons continues to profess his innocence in the rape case.

"Mr. Simmons has denied it from the beginning," said Maura Doherty, one of his attorneys.

Prosecutors said Florida Department of Law Enforcement scientists will testify that DNA evidence links Simmons to the crime.

The trial continues Thursday.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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