COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anthony Sims, 56, a resident of Columbus and a registered sex offender, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today, foregoing a trial that was scheduled to start on March 17. Sims faced serious charges including two counts of sexually exploiting a minor and one count of sex trafficking a minor.
The court proceedings revealed disturbing details of his crimes committed in 2020 against two young girls. Sims admitted to assaulting a 12-year-old girl numerous times over a period of six months. He provided the minor with marijuana and alcohol, manipulated her into using these substances, and physically restrained her during the assaults. Furthermore, he forced the young victim to pose for explicit photos in various sexual positions.
Sims’ predatory actions extended to another victim, a 13-year-old girl, whom he also induced to use marijuana before assaulting her. The exploitation continued as he forced her into prostitution, taking her to various hotels where she was made to engage in sexual acts with approximately 50 different men. Sims orchestrated these encounters, selling explicit photos of the victim and coordinating the commercial sex acts.
The plea includes a sentencing recommendation of 25 to 50 years in prison, reflecting the severity of his actions and his prior criminal background.