Local man suspected of sexually assaulting three children, may be more victims
Jan 02, 2025
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is seeking additional victims in a sexual assault investigation.Terry Simerly, who is 69 years old, was arrested on December 17 after an investigation revealed he allegedly engaged in sexual contact with three children.Crimes against Children (CAC) detectives with CSPD are seeking additional information, including possible unreported incidents. They believe there may be more victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of Simerly, you are asked to call CSPD at (719)444-7000. If you want to remain anonymous, you can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719)634-7867.According to inmate records, Simerly was in the El Paso County Jail as of Thursday afternoon on a $75,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for January 7. Previous CoverageA 69-year-old Colorado Springs man was arrested and is suspected of sexually assaulting three children.News5 obtained the arrest papers for Simerly, however, we are choosing to leave many of the details out of this article because they are disturbing in nature. Our news partner The Gazette was the first to report this story.According to the arrest papers, someone reached out to CSPD to report one of the victims, identified only as a 7-year-old child, who said Simerly had sexually assaulted them.A forensic interview had been conducted at Safe Passage Children Advocacy Center. An investigator reviewed the interview in which one of the victims explained they were taking part because "Terry (Simerly), had done bad things to him." The child went into detail, but we are not sharing those details in this article. The child said the reported abuse started when he was just two years old and occurred until he was seven.Another victim said Simerly started assaulting them when they were four. That victim said they didn't tell anyone because Simerly allegedly threatened to kill them if they did.According to the arrest papers, there are three victims, two who are seven years old and one who is eight. Simerly is charged with three counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust with a pattern of abuse. In May of 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed "Riley's Law" or SB 23-075, into Colorado law. The law is designed to protect the identities of underage crime victims.WATCH: The mother turning tragedy into actionGiven the nature of the case and the charges Simerly is suspected of, News5 wanted to provide the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, 844-CO-4-Kids (844-264-5437). If you suspect child abuse or neglect, you can contact that number. The location of the alleged abuse wasn't disclosed in the arrest papers._______Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.