Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 22, 1994                   TAG: 9403220055
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EX-ATHLETE CONVICTED IN SEXUAL ABUSE

Thomas Simmons, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of carnal knowledge with a minor, according to Richmond Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Herring.

Under an agreement reached in Richmond Circuit Court, Simmons was sentenced to three years in prison.

He is the second former student to be convicted in the attack on the girl, also from Franklin County, last February.

Earlier this month, Derrick Poindexter, 19, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of sexual battery in exchange for a 12-month suspended sentence and three years' probation.

The victim was assaulted during a party in a motel where the team was staying for the state wrestling tournament, Herring said.

Both Simmons and Poindexter went with her to another motel room where the assault occurred. There was no physical evidence to incriminate Poindexter, but DNA tests showed that Simmons had sexual contact with the victim, Herring said.

After the incident was reported, Simmons admitted to police that he had sex with the girl, Herring said. But he told authorities that it had been earlier on the day of the party and that it was consensual.

The victim has maintained that she did not consent, Herring said.

Judge Robert Duling gave Simmons a 10-year sentence - the maximum he had faced - but suspended all but three years.

Simmons, who been free on bond pending Monday's hearing, was given seven days to report to jail either in Franklin County or Richmond.

Simmons was the Roanoke Valley District and Northwest Region wrestling champion last year at 145 pounds. Poindexter was the Roanoke Valley District's top 160-pound wrestler.