By Staff Report
Michael Nathaniel Simmons, a 44-year-old Bonifay man convicted in January of molesting a child at her church, was sentenced Wednesday, February 18, to 40 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Simmons was found guilty Monday, January 27, of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts imposed a 40-year prison sentence, followed by a lifetime of sex offender probation.
At trial, Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jacob Cook presented evidence and witness testimony that Simmons molested a 10-year-old girl at her church in 2024. The child reported the incident to her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
Cook addressed jurors during the proceedings and later told the court that Simmons’ prior record was a significant concern in the case.
“When I look at Mr. Simmons’ record and his actions here, that is what concerns me most about this case,” Cook said to Judge Roberts. “You have a pattern of conduct where he preys on children, really that’s his track record, preying on young girls.”
Cook noted that Simmons was already a registered sexual predator and had multiple prior convictions involving young girls.
“The State Attorney’s Office will do everything in our power to protect the most vulnerable in our community, and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure Michael Nathaniel Simmons is never free to prey on children again,” Cook said.
During sentencing, Cook read a letter from the victim’s mother stating that although she teaches forgiveness, the defendant caused irreparable harm to her daughter and their family.
“You abused my daughter in church, a place that represents trust, that represents faith …,” the letter read. The letter also stated that the victim’s father died before sentencing and “never had a chance to see justice carried out for his daughter.”
Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its investigative work and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for conducting the forensic interview of the victim.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov or call 850-381-7454.
