NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Port Authority police officer was arrested Friday for allegedly creating fake police reports to cover up an inappropriate relationship he had with a “vulnerable” woman.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest of Telly Simmonds, 47, of the Bronx. He was arraigned on two counts of tampering with public records, a count of offering a false instrument for filing and four counts of official misconduct.
“Taking advantage of a young, at-risk woman seeking help is one of the most despicable things an officer of the law can do,” said James. “Simmonds allegedly abused the power of his badge and the Port Authority in order to engage in and conceal an inappropriate relationship. No one should be taken advantage of by the very individuals who are charged with protecting them.”
Officials said in the spring of 2018, Simmonds was assigned to the Youth Services Unit at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street in Manhattan. The unit’s purpose is to identify runaway youths and young adults who could be in danger of exploitation.
In March 2018, a 19-year-old woman was brought to the unit and met Simmonds, who took down her personal info. The two then began to text regularly, officials said.
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Simmonds and the woman allegedly stayed at a hotel near Times Square on April 1, 2018, officials said, using a Port Authority voucher, which are to only be used for work duty.
Officials said in early April 2018, the woman left a city shelter a transferred to Philadelphia, citing safety concerns. Once there, Simmonds tried convincing her via text to come back.
On April 18, 2018, officials said Simmons was working a morning shift at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, where he allegedly filled out a false police report claiming he met the woman that same morning and helped her get on the subway with a MetroCard.
Officials accused Simmonds of making more false entries of the meeting, and after his shift ended, he drove to the Philadelphia shelter to pick the woman up.
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When he arrived at that shelter, Simmonds allegedly gave his Port Authority Police ID to workers there, claiming he was on official duty. He left the shelter with the woman and dropped her off at a Bronx shelter.
After Simmonds left the Philadelphia facility, workers contacted the FBI, who then spoke to the Port Authority, which led to the investigation with the AG’s office.
If convicted, Simmonds faces a sentence of up to seven years. The Port Authority inspector general said Simmonds has been removed from “active policing work” since the investigation began.