VERSAILLES, Ind.–An Indiana State Trooper has been terminated after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with an underaged girl. ISP says that Sergeant Matthew Simmons, of Columbus, was an 11-year veteran of the force, specializing as a cybercrimes investigator before he was fired on September 4 for unbecoming conduct and conveying false information to a supervisor.
The false information Simmons gave revolved around the interaction he had had with a 14-year-old female molestation victim. An Indiana State Police disciplinary panel found that he had divulged details of her case to her and continued to meet with her in 2016 after being told to distance himself from the case. The panel determined Simmons had not been truthful about the nature of his relationship with the victim with superiors.
Despite the firing from the State Police force, Bartholomew County Prosecutor Bill Nash says the county will not be pressing criminal charges against Simmons.