DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta attorney is facing arson charges after being accused of setting his neighbor’s car on fire.
On Wednesday, Cory Simmons was granted a $25,000 bond. The judge also said he’s not allowed to stay across the street from the victim while the case is pending.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“I never met anybody like this before, ever,” neighbor Charles Tye told Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes.
Tye says Simmons moved in and started harassing neighbors by calling code enforcement and knocking on windows. Simmons was even arrested for damaging Tye’s mailbox.
That’s when Tye says his cars started mysteriously catching fire, including one time where it exploded.
“No sleep, constantly just paying attention, alert, stressed. You can tell it’s wearing on me,my body is breaking down, everything. It’s been a lot,” he said.
Police arrested Simmons and charged him with arson for one fire, but Tye wants him charged in two more arson cases.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 16-year-old shot in South Fulton tried robbing another teen before killing him
- COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Here are the schools in your district the state says are low-performing
- ‘She wanted $200:’ Night of fun ends with Navy veteran shot to death inside Atlanta home
“He’s been to jail already, so who is to say he won’t come back? You know? Who’s to say he won’t burn down another vehicle or burn my house down?” Tye questioned.
He added that he believes Simmons’ arrest took so long because his actions are out of character for an attorney.
About three weeks ago, Fernandes went to Simmons’ home and he denied being involved in any arsons. Now that he has been arrested, she plans on working to get his side of the story.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2024 Cox Media Group
