WARSAW — He was arrested on Aug. 27, 2013, on charges of burglary, criminal deviate conduct and sexual battery. Today, Thursday, Oct. 15, the case was resolved and the accused sentenced to the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Christopher Charles Simpson, 40, 4802 Admirals Pointe Drive, Lafayette, was sentenced for burglary and sexual battery, both class B felonies. He received a 10-year sentence to the DOC with four years suspended to be served on probation on each charge. His sentences will be served consecutive — one right after the other. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the owner of the property for damage to the door when he broke into the home. That amount is $1,548.69.

Judge David Cates didn’t take Simpson’s statements of his behavior that evening was not his normal self. He cited a 1998 case in Tippecanoe County and 2009 case in Clinton County, both invasion of privacy charges. In each case he stated “I can’t help but wonder if you stated, it was not your normal behavior. Your history does not bode well.”

While the prosecution, through Christanne Hampton, deputy prosecuting attorney, argued the defense prolonged the conclusion of the case and until recently, the defendant had accepted no responsibility for his action, she asked the maximum sentence allowed be given. “The events of this case were horrific,” said Hampton, stating the crime occurred in the victim’s home with her son present, whom she hid when Simpson entered the home.

“She suffered from physical and sexual abuse in her home,” Hampton said, noting the victim went through reporting the crime, investigation and filing of charges. “The case has been pending for some time for a number of reasons … the defense disputed the significance of the evident .. credit and courage of the victim and diligence of the sheriff’s department. Every bit of evidence showed his culpability of the crime.”

John Barrett, attorney for Simpson, disputed the state’s accusation of prolonging the case. He stated it was May 28, 2015, when the telephone records were printed and his receipt of that information was after the trial date had been set. He argued there was not overwhelming evidence until that time. He stated the DNA evidence, from a long-term relationship, was not compelling. Testing could not prove when, where or how that evidence was placed there or the type of DNA. There was only a marker.

“I disagree he refused to accept responsibility from the beginning. We didn’t try to play games with the state in the cause,” said Barrett. He noted his client entered into therapy in September 2014 to seek help, without a court order. He referred to the therapists mention of issues during Simpsons formative years and current health issues resulting in physical therapy and chiropractic treatments as well as testing for Parkinson’s disease.

Barrett stated his client knew and understood there would be jail time and at some point he will be back in this society. We hope he obtains the tools to put this behavior behind him. … at the end of the day we felt the state offered a fair resolution to the case. He is prepared to live with the consequences.” Barrett asked the court to consider a graduate sentence — incarceration, home detention, then probation. Barrett also noted the hardship incarceration would be on his college aged daughter, who he sees regularly and pays child support.

Simpson apologized to the court for his actions. “It was not that of my normal behavior … I’m sorry, that was not who I am …”

Related: Lafayette Man Arrested For Sexual Battery