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| N.Y. Jail Inmate Accused In Kill-For-Hire Plot |
| By Newsday |
| Published: 03/05/2003 |
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An inmate awaiting trial on rape charges tried to have a key witness killed, believing doing so would free him from jail, Nassau prosecutors said last week. Benjamin Simmons, 42, of Uniondale, detailed his plans to an undercover detective who posed as a hit man, saying he wanted the mother of his alleged victim murdered, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Dompkowski said. Simmons was charged yesterday with second-degree criminal solicitation, a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison. The undercover detective met with Simmons several times at the jail in August. Simmons provided the woman's name, address and physical description. He then promised to pay $5,000 once the hit was complete and he was released from jail. On February 6, the detective who posed as a hit man led Simmons to believe the murder had been carried out. 'Mr. Simmons was pleased with that and thought his legal problems were over,' Dompkowski said. 'He said several times he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.' Simmons did not specify how he wanted her murdered. According to Dompkowski, the undercover detective simply told him last week, 'no one would ever find her.' Simmons has been incarcerated in Nassau County jail in East Meadow since he was indicted for first-degree rape in May 2002. He allegedly had intercourse with the girl, who was 9 when it began, over at least a two-year period. The girl, whose identity is being withheld, is now 12. Simmons was her mother's live-in boyfriend, Dompkowski said. Prosecutors would not release any information about Simmons' intended target, saying only that she has been informed of the threat against her life and is safe. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday and was ordered held at the county jail on $500,000 bond. |
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