Simmons Found Guilty of Illegally Possessing Firearm

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Tyler Simmons was found guilty by a jury of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. If sentenced as a Habitual Offender, Simmons faces up to 60 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Kevin Blasz will schedule a sentencing hearing during the week of Jan. 4, 2022.

On April 9, 2020, members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office gang investigations unit conducted a traffic stop for speeding on a car leaving an Eastside residence belonging to Simmons. All four occupants in the car were detained — two were ultimately arrested for illegally possessing firearms. Two of those defendants provided consent to search their cellphones and, when law enforcement did, law enforcement found numerous videos of Simmons brandishing a rifle without the stock. Further investigation revealed the videos were taken at Simmons’ home a month prior. A firearms expert reviewed the videos and was able to determine the rifle was a genuine firearm. Simmons, a documented gang member who was previously convicted of a felony, was not legally allowed to possess a firearm and was subsequently arrested.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Leah Owens and Trey Atkinson.