Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Former Officer Jay Simon Will be Allowed to Speak with His Children

A former Gurnee police officer accused of molesting two preteen girls will be allowed to speak with his children over the holidays - if the children elect to do so.

A Lake County circuit court judge on Monday granted the request of Jay Simon, 37, of Round Lake Park, to speak with his sons during the holidays, provided the sons contact Simon first.

Simon was arrested in June 2008 and charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal abuse for, authorities said, molesting the two girls following an investigation by the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.

The girls, who were under the age of 13, were molested in three separate attacks dating to November 2006, prosecutors said.

He was also charged with aggravated unlawful restraint, official misconduct and aggravated assault following a 2007 incident in which he identified himself as a police officer and used his duty handgun to threaten a man linked to his estranged wife, authorities said.

Simon has pleaded not guilty. He faces the possibility of multiple prison sentences of up to 30 years if convicted of all the most serious charges.

Simon has been released on $1 million bond since his arrest but is under a 24-hour home confinement and is allowed to leave only to go to court or to meet with his lawyer.

His trial is expected to begin Jan. 15.

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