Jeffrey Thomas Simon, 39, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen on July 28. Simon entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Jerry W. Blackwell on July 30 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
According to court documents, between August 2023 and January 2025, Simon used a messaging application to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor into sexual activity. During this period, Simon coerced Victim 1—a female who was 13 years old in August 2023—to engage in sexual activity. He also told Victim 1 that if she left or reported him, he would kill either himself or her. In January 2025, the parent of Victim 1 contacted law enforcement again to report that Simon had sexually assaulted the victim.
Investigators searching Simon’s phone found additional conversations on a messaging application between him and other persons who self-identified as minor females.
“There is no higher priority than protecting children, and today’s guilty plea highlights my office’s unwavering commitment to ensuring offenders are held accountable,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office; North Saint Paul Police Department; Roseville Police Department; Fridley Police Department; FBI; with assistance from other local law enforcement partners. Assistant United States Attorney Kristian Weir is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse online through coordinated federal, state, and local resources for apprehending offenders and rescuing victims. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota prosecutes federal crimes across the state using facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul courthouses with about 140 employees—including more than 70 attorneys—and operates under the U.S. Department of Justice while enhancing community safety through public initiatives, according to the official website.