Transsexual Posing As Foster Care Mother Pleads Guilty To Sexual Offenses

Jet, June 4, 2001

A Tobyhanna, PA, transsexual living as a woman recently pleaded guilty to multiple charges of sexual abuse toward foster children in his care who thought he was really a woman.

Kevin J. Simon, 37, who had been living as Anna Hart, originally faced 115 charges of sexual abuse toward teenage boys ages 14 to 17 who said they thought Simon was a woman. Four of the charges were dropped at his preliminary hearing and another 99 were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

Simon, who had several surgeries to be altered sexually, pleaded guilty to four counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, four counts of indecent assault, one count of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of corruption of minors and one count of child endangerment. He faces a sentence between 5 and 115 years in prison and a fine of up to $180,000.

At a preliminary hearing in November, nine teenage boys gave graphic testimony about sexual acts they said went on while they were staying with Simon and James Hart, Simon's purported husband, at their home located in the heart of the Poconos.

The investigation began in August after one of the boys allegedly discovered Simon was a man during a sex act.

Eight of the boys testified that they had engaged in sexual acts with Simon and several also said their foster "mother" showed them pornographic materials, including videos and photographs.

At JET press time no sentencing date had been set. Prosecutors said an investigation must first be conducted to determine whether Simon is a "sexually violent predator."

Defense attorney Brett Riegel declined to reveal what prompted the guilty plea, but did say, "The case was thoroughly investigated by both the District Attorney's office and by a private investigator."