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Brad Simpson’s illegal ‘machine gun’ hidden by friend inside wall at Dominion home, police say

Authorities believe Brad Simpson worked with a friend of his to hide an illegal AK-47, according to an affidavit

Brad Simpson faces additional charges. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

SAN ANTONIO – The husband of missing Olmos Park woman Suzanne Clark Simpson faces two additional charges, according to jail records.

Records show Brad Simpson, 53, was charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair, as well as a prohibited weapon-related charge on Tuesday.

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They are connected to the Tuesday arrest of Simpson’s business partner on similar charges, which KSAT first reported.

According to an arrest affidavit, Texas Rangers received consent from Brad Simpson’s business partner and friend of more than 25 years, James Valle Cotter, to look through his communication with Simpson on his cell phone.

On Oct. 8, the affidavit said Brad Simpson text-messaged Cotter, saying, “If you’re in Bandera, can you haul a** and meet me at your house? I don’t have much time.” Simpson messaged Cotter again, adding, “OK, make sure to leave all that s*** in the pump house, especially that gun,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also includes a text from Simpson, saying, “Sorry for the urgency but you’re all I got especially now...social media is destroying me.”

Almost two weeks later, a person who had previously provided correct information regarding the investigation contacted the Olmos Park Police Department. The affidavit said the person told authorities that Brad Simpson had requested Cotter go to his house in Olmos Park to secure a “rifle.”

The person described the rifle as an AK-47 that was fully automatic, according to the affidavit. Furthermore, the person told Olmos Park police that the gun was hidden behind a wall in Cotter’s bedroom.

When Olmos Park police obtained a search warrant for Cotter’s residence on Monday, authorities found an AK-47 manufactured in China behind a TV mounted inside of his bedroom, the affidavit stated. A video obtained of a walk-in safe room full of guns inside Brad Simpson’s house showed what appeared to be the same weapon.

Through further investigation, authorities confirmed that the gun was an AK-47 that could switch between full and semi-automatic, the affidavit said.

Automatic weapons, classified as “machine guns” by the feds, are illegal to own unless it is registered with the ATF.

According to the affidavit, Brad Simpson and Cotter were knowingly in possession of an unregistered machine gun, which is also a third-degree felony.

Brad Simpson is also facing a federal felony charge for illegally owning another firearm, according to court records obtained by KSAT on Oct. 15.

Investigators discovered a short-barreled rifle that was not registered to Brad Simpson in his home, the affidavit said.

According to an affidavit obtained by KSAT, investigators searched the couple’s home in Olmos Park on Oct. 9 after executing a search warrant related to Suzanne Clark Simpson’s disappearance.

Brad Simpson is being held in the Bexar County Jail on bonds totaling $3 million after being arrested in Kendall County on multiple charges, including family violence and unlawful restraint.

Brad Simpson is being questioned in the disappearance of his wife, who was last seen on Oct. 6.

He was initially scheduled for a bond hearing on Oct. 15 at the Bexar County Jail auxiliary court, but it was canceled due to a federal detainer placed on him, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Related coverage on KSAT:


About the Authors
Spencer Heath headshot

Spencer Heath is a Digital Journalist at KSAT. Spencer graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied Radio-Television-Film. He’s worked as a journalist in San Antonio since June of 2022. Outside the newsroom, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with family.

Dillon Collier headshot

Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.

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