Donna Simons, 67, of Bradford was sentenced in McKean County Court on Monday to 8 1/2 to 17 years in state prison for crimes committed at a 2024 Fourth of July party in Bradford Township.

Simons was convicted in March after a two-day jury trial of rape of an unconscious 17-year-old victim — witnesses testified she performed oral sex on the young male — involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with an unconscious victim and sexual assault (lack of consent), as well as simple assault by physical menace and terroristic threats, both with a deadly weapon enhancement.

Simons was found not guilty of providing alcohol to minors and corruption of minors.

McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reported the victim and other witnesses, including adolescents who saw the incident take place, testified that the victim had passed out from drinking. One of the witnesses recorded the incident, after which Simons was made to leave the property.

Simons returned early the next morning, learned the incident had been recorded and demanded that the video be deleted, while holding a knife in her hand and threatening to kill the victim.

Shaffer said after the jury’s conviction, “This case highlighted that the law affords equal protection for male victims the same as female victims and recognizes that victims of sex assault can be both male or female and, just as importantly, perpetrators can be both male or female. We thank the jury for their attention to the case particularly in watching the difficult video that captured the crime.”

Shaffer reported that, in addition to the prison term, Simons will also serve three years of consecutive probation and must register as a sex offender for her lifetime. Simons was ordered to provide a DNA sample, have no contact with the victim and other terms. She is ineligible for any early parole.

Bradford Township Police Officer Jordan McCalla investigated the case, assisted by Lt. Timothy Gigliotti. Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the commonwealth.

Call 911 to report sexual assault to law enforcement. Victims may also receive services by calling the YWCA hotline at (888) 822-6325.