Share and Follow
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have charged 30-year-old Mack Arther Simmons II with sexual battery involving a second minor, a child younger than 12, as well as additional charges of sexual battery and indecent acts against another adolescent girl.
For further details on the case related to the initial victim, click here.
Recently, both victims bravely came forward to recount their experiences. The latest victim revealed that Simmons allegedly lured her into his home under the guise of playing video games or watching television. Once inside, he would reportedly turn off the lights and assault her. This abuse is said to have persisted for roughly five months, beginning when she was under 12 years old. The University of Florida Child Protection Team has reportedly confirmed the sexual abuse suffered by the victim.
Simmons faces serious charges, including sexual battery of a child under 12—a capital felony—and sexual battery of a teenager aged 12 to 18. In a separate case, he is also accused of sexually battering a minor under 18 and committing lewd and lascivious acts on a victim under 16.
Simmons has 24 felony convictions, mostly burglary and grand theft, from offenses committed in Santa Rosa County when he was 17. All but one of the sentences were concurrent 5-year sentences, but one sentence was for 11 years, and he was released in June 2024 to serve four years of probation. He is being held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.