State Del. Gary Simmons, the Anne Arundel County Democrat representing District 12B, is facing a second-degree assault charge after what police describe as a "physical family dispute" at his Brooklyn Park home. His 27-year-old stepdaughter told officers the argument escalated when Simmons allegedly put his hands in her face and grabbed her left arm, according to charging documents. He was not arrested at the scene; instead, he received a summons to appear in Glen Burnie District Court in late August, with a trial now set for Sept. 11.
What the charging documents say
According to the Maryland Daily Record, the stepdaughter went to Anne Arundel County police late the night of the incident and reported that Simmons first started to put his hands in her face after she refused to move her vehicle. The charging documents state she pushed his hands away, that Simmons then grabbed her left arm very tightly, and that a brother stepped in and later corroborated her account for officers.
His role in Annapolis
Simmons, 55, was first elected in 2022 and serves on the House Judiciary Committee, according to his member page on the Maryland General Assembly website. Earlier this year, he was elevated to deputy majority whip, and since 2025 he has served as vice chair of the Anne Arundel County House Delegation, positions that have given him a higher profile in Annapolis.
Court schedule and response
The Baltimore Banner reports that Simmons was not taken into custody. Instead, an officer issued a summons for a preliminary inquiry in Glen Burnie in late August, with a trial date set for Sept. 11. The outlet notes that Simmons did not immediately respond to its requests for comment, and that the charge was first reported by the Maryland Daily Record.
Local political context
The allegation lands in the middle of a politically sensitive stretch for Simmons, who is heading into the general election after surviving a residency challenge that reached Maryland's high court. That case, which raised questions about whether his name would appear on the primary ballot, resulted in an order detailed on CaseMine in Dove v. Simmons.
Simmons has also drawn scrutiny over his campaign spending. Local reporting has highlighted expenditures on items such as steak dinners and resort trips, as outlined in Steak Dinners And Resort Trips, which examined questions surrounding his use of campaign cash.
Legal implications
Under Maryland law, second-degree assault is generally a misdemeanor offense that can carry up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500, according to FindLaw’s summary of Md. Code § 3-203. Certain aggravating factors can increase the seriousness of the charge. Any conviction would bring not only potential criminal penalties but also likely political fallout as voters head toward November.
Court records show that Simmons was issued a summons to appear in Glen Burnie District Court and that his trial date is scheduled for Sept. 11. We have asked Simmons' office and Anne Arundel County police for comment; The Baltimore Banner has reported he had not immediately responded to its requests.
