BONIFAY – A Bonifay man who was found guilty in January of molesting a child at her church was sentenced to 40 years in prison Wednesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Michael Nathaniel Simmons, 44, of Bonifay, was found guilty on January 27 of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts handed down the 40-year sentence, followed by a lifetime on Sex Offender Probation.
Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jacob Cook presented evidence and witnesses at trial proving the defendant molested a 10-year-old girl in 2024 at her church. The child reported it to her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
“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.”
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Cook noted Simmons was already a registered sexual predator and that he had multiple convictions involving preying on 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.
Cook read a letter from the victim’s mother who said while her teachings are to find forgiveness, the defendant caused irreparable harm to her daughter and the family.
“You abused my daughter in church, a place that represents trust, that represents faith …,” the letter read. The letter said the victim’s father passed away before sentencing. “He never had a chance to see justice carried out for his daughter.“
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.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.