The Macon Police Department has filed simple assault charges against Jeffery Simmons, a Mississippi State University signee accused of repeatedly hitting a woman Thursday evening.
A video surfaced Saturday that allegedly shows Simmons standing over a woman swinging at her head while she is on the ground. Another woman also strikes the victim during the altercation.
Lucious Mason, the chief of police in Macon, told The Dispatch on Monday that Simmons and three others will be charged with simple assault following a fight Thursday about 6:30 p.m. at Mayfair Apartments.
In addition to Simmons, the following people are also being charged with simple assault: Brenda Bradley, Keith McCloung and Ashley Bradley.
Sophia Taylor is the woman Simmons is accused of hitting. She is being charged with disturbing the peace, according to Mason.
Simmons, McCloung, Ashley Bradley and Brenda Bradley are also being charged with disturbing the peace, according to Mason.
Simple assault and disturbing the peace are misdemeanors. They each carry a maximum possible penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Simmons, a senior at Noxubee County High School who played on the school’s defensive line, is MSU’s top signee in the class of 2016.
“We are aware of the situation,” a MSU spokesperson told The Dispatch. “As more details become available, we will continue to evaluate the situation.”
On Saturday, a post appeared on Simmons’ Facebook page.
“I take full responsibility for my actions that occurred on Thursday evening,” the post read in part.
The post suggested that Simmons was defending his family during the fight. It said his actions were “out of character for me” and apologized “to the Taylor family and especially to Sophia Taylor.”
The post has since been deleted.
Simmons, a 6-foot-4, 250-plus pound defensive lineman, helped Noxubee County High win its second state title in December.
The complete text from the post on Simmons’ Facebook page read:
“Where do I start? Where do I begin? Wow! Decisions, choices and actions should always be carefully thought through when incidents occur. I take full responsibility for my actions that occurred on Thursday evening. My apology goes out to the Taylor Family and especially to Sophia Taylor. What was I thinking? Honestly, I wasn’t thinking, all I could think was this is my family and I am supposed to defend my family. Many know my deceased nephews were my pride and joy, I do everything I do in honor of the life they never got the chance to live, and to listen to someone speak so terrible about them really caused me to make choices, decisions and act in a manor that was out of character for me. Is that an excuse?… NO! I truly hope that you will find it in your hearts to forgive me for my actions. I want to apologize to those that have supported me, those who look up to me.”
Dispatch reporter Ben Wait contributed to this report.
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