Umpire Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Softball Players At Games In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A Fairfield man is accused of inappropriately touching several juvenile softball players while umpiring softball games in Meriden over the summer, according to police.

Meriden police received a complaint in July regarding an umpire who was accused of inappropriately touching several juvenile softball players over the course of two separate softball games.

Police said the Special Crimes Unit obtained game footage via a search warrant and conducted several interviews.

The umpire was identified as 65-year-old John Simone of Fairfield, according to police.

Meriden police obtained three separate arrest warrants for Simone, one for each respective victim, police said.

Simone was taken into custody by the Danbury Police Department on Oct. 23 after an unrelated traffic stop, according to police. He was then taken to the Meriden Police Department.

Simone was arrested by Meriden police and charged with seven counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and seven counts of risk of injury to a minor. He was released after posting bonds totaling $90,000 with a court date of Nov. 7.

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“The Meriden Police Department is wholeheartedly committed to protecting victims of sexual assaults,” police wrote in a news release. “We understand the impact of these crimes, and we partner with agencies to help provide services to the affected victims and their families. It is the policy of the Meriden Police Department to fully investigate every allegation of crimes against victims that are brought to the attention of our organization.”