Wrecker driver charged with bribing ex-police officer on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

Wrecker driver charged with bribing ex-police officer

Related Articles

Jilted boyfriend pleas to unlawful photography

By: TMP Reports

Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:33 pm

David Simmons

A wrecker driver accused of bribing a former police officer to request his tow truck was indicted last week on 20 counts of bribery.

Wrecker driver David Simmons, 52, of Cimarron Trail, was indicted for bribery of former Murfreesboro Police Officer Wade Hatfield.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Wayne Jackson investigated the allegations and presented the case to the grand jury that returned the indictments.

The indictment stated Simmons bribed the public servant acting in an official capacity.

Under Murfreesboro Police policy, police officers who call for a wrecker use a pre-approved list of wrecker drivers who take turns towing vehicles.

Simmons’ attorney was scheduled to receive copies of the indictment Tuesday from Circuit Court Judge David Bragg. He is scheduled to be in court in February where his attorney may discuss the case with the district attorney’s office.

Simmons is on probation for unlawful photography and criminal impersonation after entering a plea in October.

Sheriff’s Detective Ralph Mayercik said at the time Simmons and the woman engaged in a sexual act and Simmons allegedly took her photograph during the act without her knowledge.

“She dumped him” later, the detective said. “He didn’t take that well and decided he was going to get even.”

Simmons allegedly printed the photographs and send the pictures in Christmas cards to her family. Some family members opened the card while she was able to intercept other cards.

Tagged under David Simmons, Wade Hatfield

Member Opinions:

By: Macgyver on 1/19/10
Pinhead or Patriot, you decide. Wow what a class act!

By: gotitans2007 on 1/19/10
Total jerk to deal with when he's got your car!...Ahhhhh, sweet Karma.

By: attagirl on 1/19/10
Yeah, karma is sweet.

By: SocEtTuem on 1/20/10
This story didn't identify the bribed cop or mention how much he took. 20 counts? I suspect whoever the cop was should be charged as well.

By: murfreesboromommy on 1/20/10
Does anyone know what tow truck company did Mr. Simmons own or worked for?

By: devolver on 1/20/10
SocEtTuem: FTA - "Wrecker driver David Simmons, 52, of Cimarron Trail, was indicted for bribery of former Murfreesboro Police Officer Wade Hatfield."

By: postfan on 1/20/10
What comes around...goes around!!!!

By: gotitans2007 on 1/20/10
Simmons owns "A Wrecker Service"...phone number 217-7990. You will want to push your car 100 miles yourself before paying him a red cent for a tow.

By: josef on 1/20/10
So, what happens with the "ex-pole-ice ossifer"?

By: devolver on 1/21/10
josef, from the lack of information and reporting, the cynic in me believes its being swept under the rug...

c'mon Post, prove me wrong...!

By: willis5038 on 1/21/10
The Police Department fired Wade Hatfield when this thing surfaced for taking kickbacks on from Mr. Simmons. This happened back in the summer I think. Man, so much for speedy justice. I don't believe that Hatfield was charged with anything at the time of his dismissal, but I could be wrong.

By: mikepirtle on 1/21/10
devolver:

All we have right now is the indictment.

It ain't over until it's over.

By: devolver on 1/21/10
Thanks, Mike. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of this plays out. Am I right to assume that if bribing a police officer is a crime then accepting a bribe is also a crime?..

By: Boo on 1/22/10
I would think so, but......?

By: devolver on 1/22/10
...but what?

By: gotitans2007 on 1/25/10
This guy is on the citie's "approved list of wrecker companies" for the city to select from...I called the Murf PD to file a formal complaint on this guy and they told me there was nothing they could do to get him off the list. Maybe this will get him taken off...

By: Boo on 1/25/10
devolver-but if it is a crime, why hasn't the officer been charged?