Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) – A Grand Forks man will serve 25 years in prison after being found guilty of a series of horrifying crimes, including the attempted murder of law enforcement officers and multiple domestic violence-related felonies.
Jeffrey Jacob Simpson Jr., 31, was convicted on seven felony charges in March, including four counts of Class A attempted murder and three Class C felony reckless endangerment charges. On April 9, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with an additional three years of supervised probation.
The terrifying sequence began after Simpson’s ex-girlfriend reported that he had broken into her home, strangled her, pressed a gun to her head and chin, and threatened to kill her and the police if they were ever contacted.
Law enforcement took the threat seriously, and a SWAT team was deployed to arrest Simpson on March 22, 2024, while he was working in the 3300 block of Primrose Court. But when officers blocked in his vehicle, Simpson opened fire, initiating a shootout. Miraculously, no officers were injured, and Simpson was eventually taken into custody.
Prior to trial, Simpson pleaded guilty to several other crimes, including:
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Nighttime burglary
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Terrorizing with a weapon
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Felonious restraint
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Methamphetamine possession
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Domestic violence causing serious injury
In a powerful victim impact statement, Simpson’s ex-girlfriend recounted months of relentless abuse, lasting fear, and emotional trauma.
“Jeffrey has promised to kill me, and I beg that he is never allowed the opportunity to fulfill yet another promise,” she wrote. “With him in jail, we finally feel safe.”
Simpson’s father pleaded for leniency, citing his son’s methamphetamine addiction and prior clean record. His defense attorney argued that the drug addiction played a central role in his descent into violence.
But Judge Jay Knudson stood firm.
“Addiction is not an excuse to terrorize a girlfriend or shoot it out with law enforcement,” the judge declared. “You planned exactly what happened. You got what you asked for.”
Simpson was given credit for 384 days served, is barred from contacting victims, and must complete a domestic violence assessment and treatment if required.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News