32-year-old John Simmons was involved in multiple offenses from February 5th to the 6th. Law enforcement received information that two dogs were being abused at Simmons’s residence on Donna Drive. One of the two dogs he owns, a husky mixed breed named Bandida, sustained tremendous injuries, causing the dog to be unresponsive but still conscious. Another one of the dogs he owns is a pit bull named Hercules, which was said to have been hit in the head with a shovel by the owner, causing swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
Officers made contact with Debra Sterback, who lived next door to Simmons; she stated that she looked outside her bedroom window and saw Simmons dragging the husky out of the house on a leash and that the dog looked lifeless. Sterback also mentioned that Simmons attached the leash to a lead and left the dog out. She then advised that she visually witnessed Simmons go towards the back of the house, retrieve a spaded shovel, walk towards the edge of the property where the pit bull was leashed, and hit it on the top of its head.
When both dogs were observed, they both showed evidence of injuries consistent with strikes on the head. Both dogs had welts and bruising on the top of their head, along with dried blood. An officer advised that the husky needed immediate medical attention. Simmons left with the husky and told law enforcement he was taking it to Hilldale Vet Clinic. Law enforcement confirmed that no veterinary clinics within Montgomery County saw Simmons’s husky.
Earlier the same day, Simmons was stopped in his grey Toyota Tundra for failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Donna Drive and Woodale Drive. Upon contact with Simmons, he admitted that he had less than one ounce of marijuana in his vehicle. A search through Simmons’s vehicle produced the marijuana that he mentioned, as well as a pipe containing burnt marijuana residue.
The next day, February 6th, law enforcement arrived at Simmons’s residence on a warrant. They spoke with Simmons’s wife, Tony Akin, and advised her of her Miranda Rights. After Akin was informed, she stated that she and Simmons purchased $600 worth of marijuana and consented to a search of the house. A search of their residence yielded suspected psilocybin (mushrooms), marijuana, numerous firearms, glass pipes with residue, and rolling devices. Simmons arrived and stated that all of the marijuana, along with the other paraphernalia, belonged to him.
John Simmons was taken into custody and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm, possession of drugs, and possession of drugs with intent to sell.
John Trevor Simmons of Donna Drive in Clarksville, TN, was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on February 7th, charged with aggravated animal cruelty, cruelty to animals, possession of firearm, and drugs. A judicial commissioner set his bond at $55,000.
Questions or comments about this story?
email: news@clarksvilletoday.com
call: 1-888-614-NEWS
One thought on “Magic mushrooms found at home of soldier John Simmons, who hits dog with shovel”