PARAGOULD, Ark. – The 14-year-old teen you’re sending inappropriate messages to is really a DTF agent collecting evidence to arrest you.
If any of these suspects had considered that thought, they wouldn’t now be facing serious felony charges for preying on children online.
John Simmons, 49, is claiming he was conducting an investigation of his own when he was caught by the First Judicial District Drug Task Force’s Operation Kandy Krush. Simmons was arrested after exchanging messages with whom he believed to be a 14-year-old. Some of the photos appear to have been exchanged on SnapChat. Police say Simmons sent sexually graphic photos of what he purported to be his genitals.
Over several days, Simmons discussed meeting up for sex, and even discussed picking the child up from school during lunch and taking her back to Paragould for sex
First Judicial District DTF
It wasn’t really a teen the man was chatting with. It was an undercover DTF agent. Simmons was arrested at his residence in Paragould.
Authorities say Simmons admitted to communicating with the profile and sending sexually graphic material, but stated he was merely conducting his own “investigation” into human trafficking. He never contacted law enforcement.
Simmons is to be charged by the First Judicial District Drug Task Force with Internet Stalking of a Child, 5-27-306, a Class B Felony. He will appear before St. Francis County District Judge Mike Smith at 1 pm today.
Several others have been apprehended recently as well, as part of the ongoing operation.
On Sunday, April 14, 2019, Garland Williams AKA “TuTu”, 36, of Forrest City, was arrested after allegedly sending what he believed to be a 15 year old female sexually graphic photos of his genitals. Williams asked her to send him sexually graphic photos of her, and offered to rent a hotel room to meet up with the child for the purpose of having sex. He was arrested by a DTF special agent and deputy with the St Francis County Sheriff’s Department. In an interview with investigators, Williams admitted to communicating with the profile and sending the photos, police said. Williams was charged by the Drug Task Force with Internet Stalking of a Child, 5-27-306, a Class B Felony. His bond was set at $100,000 and he made bond that evening.
On Monday, April 15, 2019, Jerry Reyes, AKA “Jay”, AKA “JR”, 34, of Forrest City, was arrested after allegedly sending what he believed to be a 15 year old female pornographic videos, discussing sex acts, and talking about meeting up for sex. “If I knew u were like real n not the feds we could,” Reyes messaged. Reyes clarified, “But between everyone else we couldn’t do nothing till u were 18 years old. Legally speaking.” According to Reyes, he is a Latin Kings gang member. He was arrested by the Drug Task Force with the assistance of the St Francis County Sheriff’s Department. Reyes was charged by the Drug Task Force with Internet Stalking of a Child, 5-27-306, a Class B Felony. He will appear in St. Francis County District Court today at 1pm for his first appearance.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2019, Dustin Spencer Clowers AKA “Richard Dangle”, 35, of Harrisburg, was arrested after allegedly sending what he believed to be a 15 year old female sexually graphic photos of his genitals, and asking for sexually explicit photos from the purported child. He also sent videos of himself performing a sex act and discussed meeting up with the child for the purpose of having sex. He was arrested by a DTF special agent, Wynne PD detective, and deputies with the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Department. Clowers, who is on Probation with the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections (ACC), had outstanding felony warrants in Poinsett County for Failure to Appear on Battery III and Drug Possession charges, as well as a Probation Revocation. Clowers was trespassing and living in a trailer without the owner’s knowledge or permission at the time of his arrest. In an interview with investigators, Clowers admitted to communicating with the profile and sending sexually explicit material. Clowers was charged by the Drug Task Force with Internet Stalking of a Child, 5-27-306, a Class B Felony out of Woodruff County. More charges are expected in Poinsett County. He is currently being held in the Poinsett County Jail.
19 have been arrested as part of the operation, thus far.
Maybe you people should verify your facts before publishing a story. It’s not guilty until.proven innocent contrary to the liberal sensationalizing media. As a personal life long friend if Mr. Simmons. I can tell tell you right now. This smear has been added to a list of people facing a future lawsuit for defamation. And to set the record straight. He never believed he was addressing a 14 yr old. But the 26 yr old pictured on the profile. The case notes and arrest affidavit were falsified by omission of certain facts. There’s more. Much more.
You can’t sue press for defamation for reporting what authorities say. Thanks for setting the record straight, Mr. Simmons. I mean, Senator
I have no claim to fame like the above person. I am merely a former co-worker who has seen the papers. A woman and a mother of 3. This should have never happened. There were clear omissions of certain key facts. I have no idea , what, if anything John might pursue from a legal standpoint. After seeing and hearing everything, I was forced to ask myself a couple of questions. For example why did it take almost 3 weeks for this cop to actually file for a warrant? The whole conversation was less than an hour in total length. 3 times John told the cop as it turns out, the account was fake. What is more scary? This officer was setting up this “sting” operation on a crowded public school campus in Wynne. According to the papers I saw, this cop set up ‘agents’ to catch him. John never went. Never had any intention of going anywhere to meet anyone, let alone a kid. John has never been in trouble for anything outside a traffic ticket. Not in the 12 years I have known him. He has helped alot of kids. I trust him to this day with mine. Absolutely no doubts there. But I’m really glad my kids don’t attend that public school. The cop looked bad when John didn’t show. So he made it personal. One would think after all the Russian collusion b.s. and corruption we see in the highest levels of our legal system , even the most liberal of media sources would understand, just because the ‘authorities’ say it, doesn’t make it gospel.
Finally, this cop feels the need to list where he went to school but then proceeds to say how many different agencies of law enforcement he has bounced to and from. That’s disconcerting in and of itself. He did his best to twist everything John said. I mean who would believe an accused sex offender? Right?
As far as I know of John isn’t doing anything but working to get his daughter to a safe home. You see as a result of all this and the ancient laws there. His daughter was placed with her mother. John’s ex. A woman who lost custody of their daughter due to drug and alcoholism. It should be noted that CPS in that state interviewed his daughter twice. No hint of any misconduct. Gee. Not a big shocker. If my kids ever were in trouble, he is the person I would hope they reached out to. I know for a fact he has played a key role in successful suicide interventions with kids. He helped this families seek the professional care needed. I’m not a genius. I work as a L.P.N. in my home state, in a drug rehab facility. I am smart enough to see this was a witch hunt over a bruised ego. John has never approached me as the type who claims to be perfect. He even said about this situation that had he fled even the appearance of wrong like God says, it would never have happened. But he has lost everything. Homeless and destitute after his release until just recently. My friend didn’t deserve that. I’ve asked John what, if anything, he plans to do in regards to damage control. He simply said this. Whether truth wins the day in this life, or is revealed when we all stand before God someday in the next life. The truth always wins the day and no man made authority can change that reality.
I read the prior comment and reply on this string. I can promise you John hasn’t commented here or anywhere this report was made in the news for that matter. He could care less what the news says. He became that way in the wake of the 2016 election coverage.
He is one of my best friends. He was there for my late husband who passed in 2018 from a rare form of throat cancer. When I told him I was replying to this, he said there was no point. He said it would just result in deflection and exchange of words, if it was even posted at all. Fact is John has friends that simply know better. We live in a society where lies become truth simply because it’s a juicy story accepted by the majority. Similar accusations in the news every day against politicians and other leaders and celebrities and athletes. Doesn’t matter if those people did it or not. The media has them convicted before there’s ever a shred of evidence produced or facts proven. It is beyond sad. Epic fail.
John’s focused on himself and the future right now. He has reunited with the girl he was seeing before this mess. FYI she’s well into her 30s. They are getting married soon, as they had planned originally. Finally another thing lied about through omission, is that John willingly unlocked his phone for the police. John willingly interviewed without an attorney believing he was dealing,by default, with a man of just conscience because he was law enforcement. Only to realize about half way through everything he would say ,no matter what it was, would be turned and twisted. He said at that point, he just let them think whatever. I spoke with him earlier last night when he told me about this comment string. He says, you know,5 months ago I was a different man. Like anyone else that’s human made my fair share of mistakes in life. But this wasn’t about justice, it was about vengeance and I will go to my grave believing that.
You people wanted to break a ‘story’ and my friend. Well, grats! You almost succeeded on both counts. He broke down to me. He said Tina ,they were quick to judge without a jury, utilizing only heresay. Now that it’s over and I am free, noones interested in hearing what really happened, or seeing the documents and papers the lies and half truths. He said I don’t want anyones pity. But the discovery of truth was never a goal in the case. I was just another arrest on someone’s resume. He said, we simply live in the end times where God says people are no longer lovers of truth, but of themselves. He says I know it was about a reckoning over a bruised ego. The agent was operating out of his jurisdiction, hence the need for state police presence. The warrant that would have been issued via NCIC could have been served by any policeman. But the man chose to make a special trip to execute it himself. A 2 hour drive. I cooperated fully having nothing to hide. He paused. He said the worst part. Is that the man laughed at my daughter’s tears as he cuffed me. Because at that moment we had no clue what was going on. His hands were shaking so bad when he arrested me. It was altogether just weird. It was like he was tweaking on caffeine or speed. When he dropped me off at the jail that had been built in the 1940s, literally. He said the arresting cop told him not to tell inmates what the charge was. He says I did anyway along with the entire story. Then what he said next made my jaw hit the floor. He says instead of threats and the like from inmates. Some really big guys took to being protective. He soon discovered why. Hearing the inmates share some stories. That cop had behaved similarly before.
John wasn’t keen on me saying anything. Said it didn’t matter because people that truly new him and had for years knew better and wouldn’t jump ship. But I felt as his friend and given our history I had to say something. Truth is if he were a Round-Up weed killer cancer victim ,ambulance chasing attorneys and law firms would be knocking down his door. But since it was this charge , the title of which is a sort of misnomer itself, No one has the courage to step up? Help this man? ….bet.
The last thing John said before we hung up? He says if.I have learned anything throughout all this…it’s 1 jail nor prison will be we rehabilitate any of the real criminals. It only makes them bitter and angry and amplifies their criminal tendencies. 2 I realize now that just because they carry a badge and gun doesn’t make them right or mean that they will do right. 3 that comments just like the one to his political friend on his comment, by some young aspiring inexperienced journalist attempting to spin served to prove his points made.
I’m in my late 20s. Never had a dad. I have called John ,’dad’ from the time we met. He has been there for me. He has never acted wrong or even made me think he would. He is a God send to my kids. You see.my 14 yr old daughter is one of the kids whose life he saved through intervention while her dad was still alive. Dad…I love you, we love you. We aren’t going anywhere. You are the kindest most compassionate person I have ever met. You would put yourself on the street if it meant you could help anyone to a better place. And dad ,it’s my opinion that you are and always will be twice the man that policeman/agent is or ever will be. His thoughtless action resulted in school children and even your own being put in harm’s way. What would he have done, had you actually been this criminal he tried painting you to be? We see it in the news everyday spin and no spin. I know you will fuss at me for even commenting. But I want the world to know, the best I know how that you are one of the bravest and most caring human beings I have ever known . And that you would give up your life to keep any one, especially kids from being harmed. People need to know when your daughters friend killed herself at the age of 12 a couple years back in Paragould that you and your daughter were the first to start a suicide awareness campaign on social media in the wake of that. And that you both have helped kids quit ‘cutting’ and other self harm practices and got them and their families to help they needed. I don’t want you mad at me dad. But me and the kids don’t want all of this to make you stop caring or helping. I just hope others will see this and join me in sharing their stories. You’re not the boogey man. That I know for sure. You aren’t the one that should have lost everything and been on the street. I know that for sure too. I just pray a lawyer or firm sees your story and steps up to do what’s right. It could happen. I pray it does.
Both tinas and mr. senators comments are John Paul Simmons himself. Still a petty little keyboard warrior.
If he’s such an “upstanding citizen” then he wouldn’t have even been on the front of any news cover. Mr. Simmons is obviously the one behind both of the comments posted as “Senator” and “Tina”. Justice was served and that’s all that needs to be said.
No illegal activities were played out by this news group. They were given facts by authorities and put the story out their to show people what kind of disgusting and awful man you are “concerned us senator” ahem John Simmons. As for this “Tina” ahem John Simmons, you’re a fricken idiot. He never did anything to prevent suicide in anyone I know and never tried. In fact he got on my social media and told someone who was apart of the LGBTQ+ community to kill themselves and that they were disgusting. No, you’re disgusting for trying to hook up with a fricken 14 yr old. No authority offical ever lied on you. And no authority offical ever laughed at me for crying. Both officials there were actually VERY concerned. I’m so glad that happened and I could see the truth about how disgusting you are and how much a narcissist you are. You’re nothing but a liar. My mom has never been a drug addict or alcoholic. She literally cant, look at her job title. You have been though John Simmons. I remember the beer bottles from when I was younger and I remember how you used to act towards me when I had to suffer through living with you. Drugs do that to people, you IDIOT! You’re never even gonna have the chance to see or hear from me ever again. And God help you if I ever see you again in my life. Also this is Destiny and stop trying to say it’s my mother. I have a voice of my own and always have. Also I have a man in my life named Mark Grillon who is an amazing dad. A better dad then you ever were. And always will be. You John Simmons were nothing but a sperm donor. Sincerely, Destiny Autumn Grillon
From what I’ve heard he was framed. Or things were takin out of context or something. I mean seriously 3 months in jail? If this had actually happened he’d still be in there and wouldn’t have gotten out. He’d be in Prison right now. Bond or not if this had happened he already be locked back up which I’m guessing he isn’t being as I haven’t seen it anywhere. Without enough proof to convict then you’re innocent until proven otherwise. I don’t know every single detail and I haven’t heard from him in a very long time but me myself I just can’t imagine him doing something like this. Just my opinion.
John is alive and well. He wanted you, but mainly his daughter who isn’t allowed social media of her own discretion, to see it in 2 years when she becomes 18 and will find all of this. I met John on the street about 2 yrs ago in the aftermath of all of this. We helped him out. I am 47, mother of 9 children, and have 2 grandchildren. My husband a Deputy Sheriff where we live. We have been married 22 years. John has shared his story with us. He told my husband flat out , I don’t trust what you are. But over time that has changed. John’s made mistakes in his life, he has debts he owes like any other person. Some will take years to repay. But one mistake he isn’t guilty of is being a pedophile. He was denied legal counsel until 2 days before his hearing that year. The holding SO had no kiosk with law library access, nor was an alternative even offered. Appropriate medical care was not given. He was an undiagnosed diabetic when he had passed out in the jail and hit the floor. But due to the refusal of medical treatment, it wasn’t discovered until after his release. He told my husband his life story over the last two years. He has been through more than most people have even considered possible for one person to endure. Yet I have never failed to see that man show kindness even to police, despite what has happened. John looked at this story. The comments even, and literally laughed out loud. He said you know, I have been medically diagnosed as impotent for 6 years. The officer had no clue. Probably still doesn’t. And the story is wrong. It was an alledged 16 year old. And the photos on the account were of 3 different women . When using a reverse search engine for images called Tineye he knew right off. The first was a photo of a 30 something year old and the other two in their 20s. So John played along. He figured it was another lame duck attempt and bogus scheme his ex wife had cooked up or put her kids up to (The above named Chastity and Dakota.) We will address them in a moment. But that she had cooked up to try and use against John since all the others as a matter of public record had failed. So yes he told us he sent photos and all that. But they weren’t of him. Again any kid could have reversed search them as well. But like was said a few post back. This wasn’t about anything but making a collar. The only image John sent of himself was a very clothed one of his face. You see being married to a cop and having worked as a dispatcher. I know alot. A “sting” is a legal loophole to legally conduct entrapment. John said this character tried sending pre-recorded porn audio ,the whole thing. Which made him think even more it was his ex. He said he had fun with it claiming to be in a gang and and all that. It’s a matter of record that John had told whomever it was not knowing it was some sort of cop to go f*ck themselves. And it took weeks to decide to go get a warrant? Well the reason for that was obvious when we saw the dates and the officers affidavit. An affidavit which states they had John all ready to be caught up at some rural school. And gee, John never showed. Ego rush busted. But the photos sent by the accusing party were of yet other girls. One with some sort of bing and etc. See the thing about a sting operation. Your still are not allowed to entice a crime had it even been his intent. John never believed for a moment he was talking to some kid, the grammar and verbage was too well assembled. And having a kid himself, knew the jargon kids used at this “purported” age. The list of bogus things goes on forever. John had just landed a new job and was to start that same week. He was planning that afternoon to take his daughter to the movies to see the last Avengers movie. To this day he has never watched it. Says he will watch it with his sunshine ,he calls her, when she is 18. Now back to those kids running their mouths above. John shared with us that whole ordeal. His ex abducted their daughter Destiny for months. Dragged her all over the country in the van she had taken. Then finally landed in Kentucky with the biggest pothead ever. She drug the other kids with her groomed them to come up with some big running for our lives story when John was working. Of course the truth again won the day . As he tells us and my husband confirmed it’s a matter of court record that his ex had 14 medications entered into evidence against her at the final divorce hearing. Those kids purgered theirselves all over the place. In the months before Dakota had been arrested and taken to Juvenile in A town called Batesville there for assault on his mother and John. After numerous interventions by a local youth minister to try and avoid the drama John came home from work from every single day. John realizes only at the end it was because of how she treated those kids when he wasn’t home. Forcing them to do things she should have been doing as a mother. He expresses many times he wish the kids would have said something instead of the big knock down drag out fights with their mom. Finally other comment. John just read it and shook his head. He said people had told him about it but noone believes for a second that it came from her. And put simply she isn’t that illiterate. Speaking of the grammatical errors and spelling and the verbage overall. He says there’s no telling what knucklehead did that. But anyone who knows Destiny knows better. And the fact that it spent so much time denying facts actually proven in a family court, and that Destiny herself went through 2 yes of counseling for what her mother did says it all. John has stated many times he knew he didn’t handle it right should have went about it different and that he failed himself and daughter by not doing so. He say he doesn’t care about going back to court to fuel the demon and participate in what will be nothing more than some guy sitting in the seat listening to another round of mudslinging between grownups. Destiny likes her stepdad from what John told us. Maybe even more than her mom. He says it would be selfish to try to unsettle her with excersizing legal rights to eve visitation. He says the risk of her being alienated is high which breaks his heart. But in a couple years she herself will see all of this and confirm what she’s known all along . That John still loves her and hasn’t forgotten the beautiful life God gave her. My husband and I encouraged him to comment to speak. He looked us dead in the eye and said my daughter knows. That’s all that matters and when she is 18 she will make her own decisions openly. He said in a way ,as much as he hates the cancel culture that is today’s modern press, in a way it’s a blessing too because she will as an adult see the stories the comments and her dad won’t have to say much of anything. He says his focus right now is to pay his debts to people that helped them over the years. He says it’s dumb to think anyone could erase 14 years of memories raising his daughter 5 of which he did alone. He says he knows Des is prolly pretty miffed at him and the situation . She has every right. But she has never and would never express herself in such a crude tactless way . He says it’s not how his kid works. He said the best part is jurisdiction no longer belongs to the hillbilly state with a judge that sat and mocked everything made jokes at his expense to impress some kid girl deputy playing security and thought he was just the shit whe John had voluntarily signed custody over knowing not his ex,but her husband would see to it that Destiny was taken care of until the bs was over however long . Things like this are why there’s so much hate and rancor towards authority any LEO in our country now. There’s no accountability. My husband looked. There are less than 3 million in that state and dropping every year. But theres 13 state prisons over crowded. Housing thousands. He shook his head and said this is why I am retiring , prisons were made for monsters like Dahmer and Manson and killers and rapist. In all my years no one has ever come back to me and said you know jail made me a better person.
John has put it behind him. He doesn’t go to church even with us now. He says if being a Christian is what those people claiming to be his Christian family were about. He didn’t want any part of it. Then he quoted something with a broken voice “when I thirst you gave me drink,when I hungered you fed me, when I was naked you gave me clothes, when I was in prison you visited me. I say to you the same you do to these, the least of my children you so to me. ” Jesus Christ.
He said he knew those people 15 years . Hundreds. And not even one single Pastor could visit? He said their God and his God . Not the same. He says I read my Bible I pray .I help people sometimes even when it means I go without. My daughter fell one day running down the sidewalk, John was outside helping cook on the grill with my husband. He took off as soon as he heard her scream like someone had shit him. Her knee gushing blood. He took off a t-shirt he had made imprinted on the back with his daughter pic and a banner that says Daddy’s sunshine at the bottom. We knew it cost him about $45. When he got there and saw it he took it off and wrapped it around my child’s knee carrying her to dad . We have no issue and he has been there for all our kids at some point. He is Uncle John. He works makes money and has one family he says he owes a debt too beyond anyone else . And it will be repaid in full. My husband has helped him save. He spends nothing barely buys clothes he needs. Everything I work for he says will go to my child one day. This last Christmas we bought him a mens ring with his daughters birthstone. She looks just like him btw and is a natural blonde not brunette. Anonymous if you are a friend . Know he is ok. His health is not the best. But he’s working on it . He has stopped smoking almost altogether.
You see when he met Bud. Bud saved his life. He was in the process of taking his own life. He had given up all hope of the truth ever mattering ,he had failed his daughter and was labeled with something he was not. My husband removed his weapon and approached John. He said whatever it is son. You do this. They win. He said it wasn’t exactly what they were trained to say but it’s what came to mind. After about an hour he stepped inside the rails which were 150ft above an empty ditch. Neither of them has ever told me what was said it done in that hour . He was off duty . And that’s the event that led him to being part of my family. But Everytime I try to ask ,he just says , my daughter saved my life and that’s all anyone ever needs to know. But you are right noone in their right mind could think this of him. He used poor judgment . But the price he and his child paid was way way to high for the reality of it.
John simmons is a pedofile! Anyone that has to act like another person online and defend themselves for being an abomination is definitely a pervert. Destiny is not johns daughter she has been adopted by a real man than has better goal than sleeping with 14 year olds. Destiny actually throws up a little when people accidentally say the wrong name an not destiny Grillon. Nea news desk already roasted you. Are you not done?
And I’m just gonna set the record straight. The day I was arrested for 17 measly hours was because John thought he could lay hands on a minor. All I remember is a little stubby dude crawling to the bathroom crying, locking himself in the bathroom and calling the police. My mother no where around to stop anything. If your gonna rehash old shit then at least speak facts mr senator I mean paisley, oop I mean john. Lmfao.