Ashland County Man Facing New Felony Charges While Already Incarcerated for Prior Child-Related Offenses
LOUDONVILLE, OH — A 34-year-old Ashland County man already serving time in the Lorain Correctional Institution is now facing a new set of criminal charges involving minors, following a months-long investigation by the Loudonville Police Department.
According to Captain Sean Gorrell, Iann C. Simmons has been charged with three counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, two counts of Grooming, and one count of Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles. The charges stem from an investigation that began in May 2025 after allegations involving two juveniles, ages 11 and 12.
Investigation Spanned Multiple Agencies
Four members of the Loudonville Police Department worked the case, with additional assistance from Detectives with the Ashland Police Division and agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Simmons was formally indicted by an Ashland County Grand Jury on October 10, 2025.
Captain Gorrell emphasized the historical significance of the charges:
“This is the first time that a person has ever been indicted in Ashland with the charge of Grooming (ORC 2907.071). This law came into effect in Ohio on April 9th, 2025.”
The counts of Gross Sexual Imposition and Grooming are both third-degree felonies. The Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles charge is a first-degree misdemeanor.
A bond hearing was held on November 12, 2025, where an Ashland County judge set Simmons’ bond at $100,000. He is scheduled for arraignment on the new charges on December 4, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
Because Simmons is already incarcerated, the arraignment and future court appearances are expected to be conducted through secure transport or video link.
Simmons Already Serving Time for Prior Offenses Involving Minors
At the time the alleged offenses occurred, Simmons was out on parole for a previous conviction involving pandering obscenity involving minors, a fourth-degree felony, out of Richland County.
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), Simmons—Offender Number A750275—was admitted to prison on March 16, 2018, with multiple convictions from case number 2015CR0660, presided over by Judge James DeWeese:
Previous Convictions Include:
Pandering Obscenity Involving Minors
- 9 counts (concurrent)
- 2 counts (consecutive)
- ORC 2907.321
- Fourth-degree felonies
Tampering with Evidence
- 1 count
- ORC 2921.12
- Third-degree felony
His aggregate sentence totaled 232 PS, with an expected release or parole eligibility date of February 18, 2026.
Simmons had been on supervised release since October 3, 2022, with 5 years and 8 months of required supervision under Richland County APA when he allegedly committed the new offenses. He was subsequently returned to prison for parole violations.
He remains incarcerated at the Lorain Correctional Institution.
The December 4 arraignment will determine how Simmons intends to plead to the new charges.
The Loudonville Police Department has indicated the investigation is complete, but additional charges could be considered pending prosecutorial review.
Captain Gorrell would also like to thank the Ashland Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.
