Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Victim Of Admitted Serial Rapist Speaks Out
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 11, 2010
Modified Nov 11, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 11, 2010
Modified Nov 11, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, it was reported that admitted rapist Tony Simmons, a former Manhattan court juvenile counselor, had been given an insane plea deal and is expected to receive ten years probation and no jail time at sentencing next week. One of his victims, identified only by her first name Ashley, is understandably incredulous at the meager sentence—and she's making the rounds today, telling her story to the media.
Ashley was 15-years-old when she was due in Manhattan Family Court for filing a false police report—because she told police she did not know who had jumped and cut her on the way to school. Simmons, nickname Tyson, was in charge of escorting her from the holding area up an elevator to the hearing. In the elevator, Simmons instead took Ashley down to the basement, raped her, then brought her up to the court, as if nothing had happened. By her own account, she went numb as the rape happened, but became enraged soon after: "Ok, I've been raped and now I'm going to go sit in a court room and be sentenced?" She was found guilty, and given a 12-month sentence which later grew to nearly three years because she talked back to counselors, which she partially blames on residual anger over the rape.
Simmons pleaded guilty to raping Ashley, as well as sexually assaulting a different 15-year-old and a 16-year-old girl. Investigators also believe he may have raped a 13-year-old as well. Although statutory rape has a max penalty of four years, Simmons was only given a probationary sentence by Judge Cassandra Mullen: “He must have known somebody to get this special deal just for Tony Simmons, just for this disgusting human being he got this special plea deal,” Ashley told CBS.
According to Davis Bookstaver, spokesperson for the New York State court system, the blame rests on DA Cy Vance Jr, who didn't object to the sentencing: "[Judge Mullen] was told they had had problems proving a 5-year-old case...Judges rely on experts, in this case the DA's Office." But for his part, Vance chided Judge Mullen as "outrageously lenient" for giving Simmons probation. Everyone's willing to spread the blame, but Simmons seems to be on the verge of getting off the hook next Monday.
Tagged
ashley
crime
juvenile counselor
manhattan
probation
sentence
serial rapist
tony simmons
tyson
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 4:47 p.m. ET
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
NYPD still searching for man who threw burning substance on victim in East Harlem
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .