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Written by K Bishop
Published January 2, 2023 @ 4:13 PM ET
Baldwin County (December 13, 2022) – Sheriff’s deputies arrested and charged a man who was caught on video masturbating outside the residence of an elderly woman suffering from dementia. The deputies were called after the woman crawled outside through a window and was found by a neighbor who took her to his family home and called police.
A neighbor had witnessed the suspect, identified as Roderick Dewayne Simmons, 40, masturbating in full view outside the home and was able to provide details. The witness told officers Simmons was wearing a yellow shirt and stood outside the victim’s home, pleasuring himself moments before the elderly woman crawled out her window and left the home. The elderly woman was unable to provide any information about the incident and could not provide basic information, such as her birth date. EMS was contacted to assess the woman due to her mental state.
Deputies climbed through the same window the woman exited from and inspected the house. The deputies found the home empty, with the doors locked with a key from inside. The woman’s daughter arrived sometime later and was instructed by deputies to check the home’s camera system for video of the masturbating man. She also inspected the home and told officers a shovel near the back door was moved, and there were pry marks on the door that appeared to have been made by the shovel. Deputies noted the pry marks matched the blade of the shovel.
Video from the home’s security cameras showed Simmons near the front and the back door, where the pry marks and shovel were located. The elderly victim’s daughter was able to send screenshots of Simmons to officers. Based on the photo and video evidence, warrants were issued for Simmons’ arrest.
He was taken into custody on December 15 on charges of public indecency, criminal attempt to commit a felony, probation violation, obstruction, and crossing guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs. This case is currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 12/13/2022 at approximately 1548 hours, I was responded to [100 BLOCK] Carter Place with Deputy Butts in reference to a Mental Health call. Upon arrival, we made contact with the Complainant, [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] stated her elderly neighbor from [100 BLOCK] North Main Street, later identified as [VICTIM #1], came to her residence confused. Based on signs of dementia, EMS was called to evaluate her.
While EMS was en route, Butts and I talked to neighbors to get family contact information. This effort was not fruitful. However, we did get multiple reports of a suspicious black male around the property about the time she left.
We noticed the window open on the front of the residence of [100 BLOCK] North Main Street, the residence of [VICTIM #1]. This was the window [VICTIM #1] had reportedly climbed out of to leave the residence. Given the reports of the male and unsecured premise, Butts and I entered through the window and cleared the residence. There was no one inside. I noticed the deadbolts on the doors were locked and keyed to the inside of the residence. Butts and I exited the residence through the same window we entered from.
We made contact with [WITNESS #1] back at [100 BLOCK] Carter Place. [WITNESS #1] stated he saw a black male, wearing a yellow shirt, later identified as Roderick Simmons. [WITNESS #1] stated Simmons was standing outside the residence of [100 BLOCK] North Main, pleasuring himself in plain view. [WITNESS #1] stated this happened just prior to [VICTIM #1] leaving her residence through the window. [WITNESS #1] stated he then escorted [VICTIM #1] to the residence of [100 BLOCK] Carter Place and we were contacted.
[VICTIM #1]’s daughter, [VICTIM #2], arrived at [100 BLOCK] North Main and I interviewed her as well. [VICTIM #2] noticed fresh pry marks on the back door and the shovel had been moved. The pry marks on the door were consistent with the blade of the shovel.
[VICTIM #2] was advised to look on the security camera footage from the cameras installed on the house and update me if she found anything interesting. [VICTIM #2] was able to find video of Simmons outside the home. [VICTIM #2] emailed me screenshots of the video showing Simmons outside the home. Video shows Simmons at the front of the house and near the damaged back door. Pictures were taken of the damaged door. Deputy Butts was able to positively identify Simmons from the screenshots of the video.
After all facts and circumstances considered, Roderick Simmons will have outstanding warrants for Criminal Attempt- Burglary and Indecent Exposure. As [VICTIM #1] has dementia and was unable to even provide her date of birth, she never mentioned the incident, but with the statement of the witness and the video footage of him around the house, the Sheriff’s Office will go ahead with prosecution. All photographic evidence will be submitted to evidence via the Axon Capture App. I reached out to [VICTIM #2] for full video footage of the incident. I have not received a response yet, but I will supplement the report and evidence when I do.
[End of Narrative]
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