Clete Simmons

Name:
Simmons, Clete Bennett

Date of Booking:
10/05/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

BATTERY (FV)- 1ST OFFENSE

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-3RD DEGREE

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On the date of October 5th, 2025 at approximately 09:04am, I Deputy Jared France #129 responded to [800 BLOCK] Brent Rd. Barnesville, GA in reference to a physical domestic that had already occurred.

Upon arrival I made contact with the complainant Mrs. [VICTIM #1] and her husband Mr. Clete Simmons by knocking on a door located on the backside of the home. Immediately upon first contact with both parties I observed visible injuries to both Mr. and Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] had a large bruise that appeared fresh on the right side of her neck and Mr. Simmons had a SMALL SCRATCH on his face to left of his nose, above his top lip. Both parties agreed to speak with me outside of the home.

I first spoke with Mr. Simmons in the yard next to the back porch of the home regarding what had happened. Mr. Simmons voluntarily stated that his wife and him were arguing on the couch and she stood up to leave. Mr. Simmons stated, when she stood up he grabbed her and pulled her back down to the couch and told her to talk to him. He then stated, she tried to stand up again and he pulled her back down again. Mr. Simmons stated he did this with her three or four times before he stood up and grabbed her. He continued to state that once he grabbed her, he pushed her down onto the other couch and then onto the ground. He then stated that he put his right hand on her neck and pushed hard while he held her down to the ground. He stated that he then grabbed her arms and held her down while yelling at her to listen to him. Mr. Simmons stated that once he noticed his kids in the room he let his wife go. Mr. Simmons stated that he doesnt remember how he got a scratch on his face.

Next I spoke with Mrs. [VICTIM #1] in the yard next to the back porch. She also gave her statement voluntarily. She stated that her and her husband Mr. Simmons have been having troubles with their marriage and that they were having an argument on the couch. She clarified by stating that the argument was not aggressive or heated but more of a disagreement. She continued to state that while they were arguing Mr. Simmons kept trying to rub her leg and she kept telling him to stop and that she did not want him to touch her right now. She then stated that she eventually got up to stop him from touching her and when she stood up he grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. She Stated that he then put his hands all the way around her throat and began to squeeze and strangle her while banging her head on the ground. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was scared for her life. Mrs [VICTIM #1] went on to state that she could hear her daughter yelling at Mr. Simmons to stop and get off of Mrs [VICTIM #1].

I then inspected her injuries further and found a small bruise on the right side of her chest and red marks across the front of her neck all the way from one side to the other. She also had a small scratch on the right side of her neck. All injuries appeared fresh. Her shirt was also torn on the back near the top of the right sholder area. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated she heard it tear during the physical altercation.

While I was speaking with Mrs. [VICTIM #1], Deputy Barclay Banta #123 arrived. I advised #123 to place Mr. Simmons under arrest based on the information I had at that time. Both parties stated that the children were present during the altercation. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated that she did not feel like Mr. Simmons would stop choking her and that she was afraid for her life. Deputy Banta placed Mr. Simmons in handcuffs and double locked them while informing him of why he was being arrested. Then #123 transported Mr. Simmons to LCDC where he was turned over to jail staff without incident. Mr. Simmons was calm and complied for the entire interaction with myself and #123.

I photographed Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’ injuries and the tear in her clothing. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] has provided a sworn statement for record as well. I then provided Mrs. [VICTIM #1] with available rescources for victims of family violence.

Mr. Simmons is in LCDC custody with warrants pending for the following charges:

1. O.C.G.A. 16-5-21 – Aggravated Assault
2. O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1 – Battery
3. O.C.G.A. 16-5-70 – Cruelty to Children in the third degree.

[End of Narrative]