[3] Beginning in 1979, Simonis began breaking into homes, committing burglary, and raping women as he wore a ski mask.
[11] However, it devolved into achieving sexual gratification by having an enraged husband, boyfriend, or father watch as he raped a woman.
His modus operandi involved breaking into a home while wearing a ski mask, binding and blindfolding the couples with pre-cut lengths of silver duct tape, and raping the woman when the man was present.
Simonis also burned her with cigarettes and then stole the family car in addition with money, jewelry and cameras.
They were identified as John Dickinson III and Fredrick Boerman Jr. Detectives described them as "weak men shamed into joining in the attacks.
"[3] Investigators say Dickinson took part in 9 of the 13 Louisiana rapes tied to Simonis, while Boerman was not charged as he was a getaway driver and lookout.
[19] The FBI Behavioral Science Unit was called in as they feared he may further escalate and commit murder during his attacks.
[20] Investigators took note of a young, white male driving a "fancy red Trans-Am".
[1] A law enforcement task force was formed to uncover how many states and separate criminal incidents could be tied back to Simonis.
[1] He was also indicted on seven charges of burglary and sexual assault from an attack on June 7, 1981 that targeted a woman and her 14-year-old daughter.
Simonis admitted to committing crimes in Louisiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Texas.
[30] After Simonis went to trial for each of these crimes, his sentences totaled to 21 life terms with an additional 2,690 years in prison.
[2] Since Louisiana had already given him 21 life sentences, Simonis did not face prosecution for 75 charges that occurred in other states.
Texas man Clarence Von Williams was serving 50 years for rape charges.
After serving two years behind bars, Cox was freed on January 31, 1982 due to Simonis' confession.
[36] Simonis was officially transferred from Hunt Correctional Center to Louisiana State Penitentiary on Jan. 10, 1981 to begin serving his time.
The Corrections Department stated he would be confined for an "indefinite period to a maximum-security cell away from the general population" as he was considered an escape risk.
[37] Simonis publicly stated he intended to write books and give the profits to his mother.
[39][37] Four local victims of Simonis sued him for more than $1 million, claiming it was to ensure they would receive any profits made from his writings.
[41] His statements also inspired Louisiana lawmakers to introduce a bill intended to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes.
"[38] Throughout his years in prison, Simons was interviewed multiple times by FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood.
[21] Another long interview with Simons led to Hazelwood publishing a 1986 FBI bulletin, RAPE: The Dangers of Providing Confrontational Advice.