DATE: November 7, 2024
CASE: JD Simien (Case # 21FE018495)
PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney TeriAnn Grimes
On October 31, 2024, JD Simien was convicted by a jury of two counts of kidnapping to commit another crime, two counts of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery by restraint and assault with intent to commit rape/sodomy/oral copulation. The jury also found true allegations of kidnapping, multiple victims and use of a knife.
Simien is the Clover Leaf Rapist who committed a series of rapes from 2013 to 2014. On December 10, 2013, the first victim was walking from a bus stop to meet her family at the bowling alley. Simien grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the embankment of the clover leaf section of Madison and I80. He then strangled and raped her. He took her belongings, including her identification and told her if she reported he would kill her. On January 8, 2014, the second victim was walking with her luggage to meet a friend who was giving her a ride to the airport. When the victim got lost, Simien offered her a ride. In the car, he groped the victim, stabbed her in the neck with a knife, strangled her by her scarf and hit her multiple times. He then forced her to orally copulate him and raped her on the side of the clover leaf at Madison and I 80. He took her wallet and told her if she reported, he would find her. On March 8, 2014, the third victim was walking home from a club early in the morning. Simien saw her walking and gave her a ride. When they got to her apartment, he pulled into an empty parking lot. When the victim tried to leave, Simien strangled her and groped her under her clothes before the victim was able to escape. DNA on rape kits and clothing of all victims had DNA. Ten years later, investigators used Investigative Genetic Genealogy to lead to Simien.
Simien faces a maximum sentence of 89 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for January 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 12.
