An Arizona fugitive who was arrested earlier this month is now facing additional charges of molestation and battery.
Kyle C. Sims, who also goes by “Shawn Penna” and “Shane,” is being accused of fondling a young boy and attempting to touch another one. He originally was arrested on Aug. 21 for operating an unregistered motor vehicle. At the time, it also was discovered that Sims, of Belleview, was wanted on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Arizona for sexual exploitation of a minor (possession of child pornography).
After hearing of Sims’ arrest – he was booked into the jail under the name Shawn Penna – a resident contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and told them that he had access to young children. Detectives then responded to Sims’ residence and found that he was living with a roommate and an 11-year-old boy, a sheriff’s office report states.
The boy told detectives that “Shane” had inappropriately touched him on two separate occasions, the report says, adding that Sims ran an automotive business out of the home and hired teenage boys to help him with the work.
One of the boys told detectives that Sims made inappropriate comments to him. And another said that Sims attempted to touch him sexually but he was able to stop his advancements, the report says.
Sims denied any touching of a sexual manner on the boys. He did say that he was involved in a horse-play type wrestling match with one of the victims and that he might have touched the victim in the crotch area, but he denied that it was sexual in nature, the report says.
Sims is now facing additional charges of two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of simple battery. Those charges are in addition to the ones from earlier this month – failure to register a motor vehicle and the Arizona warrant for sexual exploitation of a minor. He was being held without bond.
Due to the evidence developed in the investigation, detectives believe there may be more victims in the local community. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Det. Lightle at (352) 369-6715.
