BONIFAY – A Bonifay man was found guilty on Tuesday of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under the Age of 12, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
A Holmes County jury needed only 17 minutes to return a guilty verdict against Michael Nathaniel Simmons, 44, of Bonifay. Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jacob Cook called 8 witnesses – including the victim, another child who was molested by the defendant, and a woman who testified the defendant molested her in 2014 when she was a child.
In Tuesday’s case, the facts presented at trial showed the defendant molested a young girl in 2024 at her church. The child reported it to her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
“I’m so thankful the jury held Nathan Simmons accountable for his predatory behavior,” Cook said. “He has a track record of preying on children, and hopefully with this verdict he will never have the chance to touch another child.”
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Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its work, and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for its forensic interview of the victim. Basford also thanked the victims for their courage in coming forward and testifying. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts ordered Simmons held without bond until his Feb. 18th sentencing. He faces up to life in prison.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.