(MD)
WJLA-TV (ABC) [Arlington VA]
May 7, 2026
By Thomas Mates, Christian Flores
A man who is known for his involvement with the local go-go music scene was sentenced Thursday to 165 years in prison after being convicted in January of child sexual abuse and rape charges in a Prince George’s County courtroom.
Cleophus Canton, 60, was convicted on nine counts with charges ranging from sexual abuse of a minor, rape, and second-degree sex offense.
Canton abused four victims spanning over a decade, from the late 1990s to approximately 2008. Court documents reveal one victim was abused from the ages of 8 to 16.
All four victims testified against Canton during trial.
For victims like Brittany Simms, Canton’s lengthy prison sentence allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief after decades of dealing with the emotional fallout from her abuse.
“I never thought I would have justice or anything. Excuse these raw emotions, but it just took 25 years and it feels so good to finally get justice,” Brittany Simms said as she tried holding back tears.
Shawntia Simms said she vividly remembers what Canton looked like as he was facing his punishment.
“When I see him today, he looked very sick. He was stressed out. This stuff ate him up. Everything he put us through is getting him back, too,” Shawntia Simms said.
Keisha Spencer also described the feeling of being able to move forward while Canton is in prison.
“I am one of the victims who finally got justice,” Spencer said. “I’m not drowning anymore.”
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson stood side-by-side with these victims during a press conference after Thursday’s sentencing hearing.
“Sexual assault is a deeply personal crime that profoundly impacts its victims, usually resulting in long-term emotional and physical impacts. Today, we heard from each of the defendant’s victims, as they talked about the pain that it has caused them for so many years,” Jackson said. “Today, a judge sentenced Mr. Canton to 165 years in prison for his actions. He was held accountable.”
All four victims knew Canton through his relationships with their family members.
They said they tried reporting him when they were teenagers.
“We actually told our parents at 13. We told them, and nothing changed. Mr. Canton was still living in the home with Brittany. I was in Atlanta, but when we would come to family events, holidays, he was still there. Everybody treated him like family,” Shawntia Simms said.
Brittany Simms added, “After 25 years, I decided to take my abuser to court because I was speaking up for the child in me: a child that wasn’t seen, the teenager that wasn’t heard. It took me 33 years to actually fit the pieces in that was just missing, and I didn’t understand why. It was because of this trauma that happened to me. Please, please, please listen to your kids. Protect your kids.”
Jackson underscored the challenges with reporting family members for sexual abuse and assault, but urged the public to take those accusations seriously.
“We understand that, oftentimes, there are different family dynamics that make reporting complicated, reporting of child sex abuse complicated. However, your child should be heard, and if they are being harmed or hurt I urge you not to ignore it,” Jackson said.
Jackson added that Canton has another case already pending.
Both Jackson and the victims are now urging anybody else who may have been attacked by Canton to come forward.
“Please, please, please speak up if you are going through anything that is heavy on you, you feel like no one is going to listen. The team is here. They’re here. They’re going to get justice for you,” Shawntia Simms said.
Spencer echoed this plea, and said, “Just please come forward because you’ll get justice just like we did. 160 years is probably not enough for me.”
Brittany Simms added, “We are speaking up. We are protecting our kids. No more. My daughter is safe. I am safe now.”
Victims of sexual abuse and assault are asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s child and vulnerable adult abuse unit at (301) 772-4930.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault or abuse, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-656-4673 or text HOPE to 64673.