Michael R. Simpson, 52, of Russell was charged with second-degree felony indecent assault without consent, third-degree felony corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above and two counts of indecent assault without consent of other by the State Police at Warren. Charges were filed June 13 after an alleged incident on May 17.

Simpson was briefly jailed on $50,000 bail after a preliminary arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Laura Bauer and later released after posting bail on Monday.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, the investigation began when Simpson completed a mental health evaluation and told the counselor that he woke up after a family movie night to his 14-year-old daughter touching him sexually and that Simpson stopped the behavior as he woke up. He told the counselor there was no skin to skin contact and that the girl had been moving his hand.

On June 10, the 14-year-old was interviewed at the Chautauqua County Child Advocacy Program. She said there was a movie night with the girl and her younger sister, but that she fell asleep during the movie and woke up to Simpson “grinding” on her backside. The girl told investigators she tried to move away, but he kept pulling her closer before putting his hands underneath her clothing. The youth said she tried to get away several times but couldn’t move because Simpson was allegedly holding her back. At the time, the girl said, Simpson was allegedly asleep.

The behavior continued until Simpson woke up, at which time the sexual assault continued with rubbing under the girls’ clothes.

“This case was reviewed by the Warren County District Attorney’s Office, who recommended these charges,” the affidavit states.