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Atlanta, MI Man Arraigned on Hate Crime, Terrorism Charges for Threats Made to 911 Dispatch

LANSING Gregory Simms, 37, of Atlanta, has been arraigned, via Zoom, in the 88-2nd Judicial District Court in Atlanta, MI, on Malicious Use and Threat of Terrorism charges, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

Simms is alleged to have placed threatening phone calls to the Montmorency County 9-1-1 dispatch after learning of a warrant for his arrest in Saginaw County. Over the course of 3 calls to Montmorency County 9-1-1, Simms is alleged to have indicated he would send any “pigs” who attempted to arrest him “back in body bags.” In two of the calls, Simms identified himself.

Threats to public service workers, the hearts of our communities, require serious charges,” Nessel said. “Our 9-1-1 centers are designed to respond to life-threatening emergencies, not intimidation from the citizens they serve. I’m proud of the work the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit of my office has done to ensure that threats like these are met with robust enforcement to pursue accountability and maintain public safety.

The court set a bond of $250,000, determining Simms to be a flight risk and a danger to the community. Simms’ Probable Cause hearing is scheduled for May 12 via Zoom and his in-person Preliminary Examination is scheduled for May 17.

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Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.

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