An Owasso man has been found guilty of possessing child pornography following his arrest in 2024, and a jury has recommended he spend 170 years in prison and pay $55,000 in fines. Joseph Simmons was convicted of three counts of aggravated possession of child pornography and one additional count of possession of child pornography.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced the verdict, saying the Owasso man had been found guilty of possession of child pornography following his 2024 arrest, according to KOKI FOX 23. Simmons had been charged in 2024 with knowingly receiving, possessing and distributing visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
How the Case Came Together
The Owasso Police Department helped investigate the case that led to Simmons' arrest and eventual conviction, the station's report notes.
Following the verdict, the jury's recommendation calls for Simmons to serve 170 years in prison. The same jury also recommended he pay $55,000 in fines, according to the same account relayed by Kunzweiler's office.
What Comes Next
It remains unclear whether the court has formally adopted the jury's recommended sentence and fines, as that step had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. Those tracking the case's progress can consult the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office's own Follow a Case portal. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission's docket-results page lists its agency dockets and says results are refreshed at least weekly, and sometimes daily, and are kept on file for one year.
Oklahoma law classifies aggravated possession of child pornography as a serious felony offense carrying significant penalties, as outlined under the state's aggravated possession statute. The jury's steep recommended sentence in Simmons' case reflects the multiple counts on which he was convicted.
