Update: Attorney says Warner Robins man denies molestation charges

WARNER ROBINS -- A bond hearing has been requested for a former announcer for Warner Robins High School football games who is charged with child molestation.

Shelly M. Simmons Sr., 82, of Warner Robins, who served as the “Voice of the Demons” in the 1970s and 1980s, has been charged with two counts of child molestation. Simmons has been held without bond in the Houston County jail since his arrest Nov. 22, jail records show.

Houston County sheriff’s Lt. Darin Meadows declined to elaborate on the case except to say that there are multiple victims.

Franklin J. Hogue, a Macon attorney representing Simmons, said that Simmons “denies having molested anybody, and we intend to defend against these charges.”

Hogue said he was hired as Simmons’ attorney Tuesday. Earlier, Warner Robins attorneys Austin Kemp II and Crawley Kemp II filed the motion for bond consideration on Simmons’ behalf. Hogue said he will represent Simmons at the bond hearing slated for Thursday.

Assistant District Attorney Deshala T. Dixon, who is prosecuting the case, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

District Attorney George Hartwig said he could not comment on Simmons’ case, but he said the District Attorney’s Office generally opposes bond for individuals charged with child molestation.

Simmons, a former president of the Warner Robins High School Touchdown Club, served 25 years in the Demon press box, according to a 1994 Warner Robins High School media guide. He also coached youth league ball.

He retired as a deputy division chief at Robins Air Force Base in 1985 and also co-owned a building contracting business at the time the media guide was published.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.

This story was originally published November 29, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Update: Attorney says Warner Robins man denies molestation charges."