CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A Missouri man, on Friday, admitted to recording himself raping an intellectually disabled minor. As part of a plea agreement, both sides agreed to a recommendation of 20 years in prison at sentencing in January.
A resident of Poplar Bluff, 46-year-old Jason R. Hicks-Simpson, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau.
The 17-year-old victim told investigators that Hicks-Simpson had been sexually abusing her since she was 5, according to the plea agreement.
"She also said Hicks-Simpson threatened to kill her and her kittens if she did not keep it a secret," a statement from the Easter District of Missouri U.S. Attorney's Office said.
After Hicks-Simpson was arrested, he told police that he only abused the victim once, but investigators found videos on the suspect's phone dating back to May of 2023.
"The 17-year-old victim sought help from Hicks-Simpson’s girlfriend in getting the abuse to stop, according to the plea agreement. The girlfriend contacted the victim’s mother, who called the Poplar Bluff Police Department in March of 2024," the statement said.
The case was investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department and the FBI.
Children who are victims of sexual assault can find help at a number of institutions in the St. Charles County area, including The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri.
Accredited by the National Children's Alliance, The Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit the following counties: St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Marion, Monroe, Shelby, Lewis, Clark, Knox, Scotland, and Schuyler.
The center's main office is in Wentzville, but there are locations in Hannibal and Memphis. Learn more about The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri by visiting their website at https://www.cacnemo.org/
Bridgeway Sexual Assault Center is another resource for victims of sexual assault. The services the center provides includes crisis intervention, emergency assistance, domestic violence shelters and counseling. Learn more about the Bridgeway Sexual Assault Center here.
