Get notified by email when this case is updated.
The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.
Name:
Lowe, Cleveland
Date of Booking:
04/27/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
ARSON – 1ST DEGREE
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 4-27-26, around 1704, I, Cpl. Vonderhuevel was dispatched to [1900 BLOCK] Cedar St in reference to a domestic between brother and sister. Dispatch notified the male subject, identified by the caller as Leveland Lowe, had poured gasoline in the residence and made threats to burn the house down. Dispatch had also dispatched fire before my dispatch time, who had arrived on scene and confirmed gasoline had been poured in the residence, and Lowe was still on scene.
Upon arrival around 1708, I made contact with the fire, who stated the male subject was in the rear of the residence. I approached, announcing myself through the front door. I made verbal contact with Lowe, who stated he just wanted me to leave. I followed his voice to the rear door of the residence, where I located him sitting. While walking to the rear of the residence, I could smell a strong odor of gasoline throughout the residence.
Upon making contact with Lowe, he stated he was upset about money and a check he was expecting, but had not received it yet. I notified him that we can work through that, but pouring gasoline in the house is not the correct way to go about it, and then escorted him to my marked patrol vehicle.
While walking to my patrol vehicle, I notified him that he would sit in my vehicle while I spoke with his sister to gather her side of the story. Lowe then stopped walking and asked if I was going to read him his Miranda Rights. I notified him no, as I had no intentions of asking any questions at this point. While continuing to walk, she then stated to me, “You let my a*s go, I bet I kill that black b*tch and you too,” at which point I placed Lowe in handcuffs and under arrest.
After securing Lowe in the rear of my patrol vehicle, I made contact with his sister, who identified herself as [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated he became angry after not receiving his monthly money. He then went through the housing, pouring gasoline, stating he would burn the house down if he did not get his money. [VICTIM #1] explained that Lowe is diagnosed with mental health issues, but stated he needed to be incarcerated because every time he goes to the hospital, he just gets medication and is discharged, but then stops taking them.
I then transported Lowe to the Bibb County LEC, where he was booked for the above charges.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
5/4/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY FILES ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FOR CLEVELAND LOWE
What this means: On May 4, 2026, attorney Ryan Malone of the Bibb County Office of the Circuit Public Defender formally notified Bibb County Superior Court that he would be representing Cleveland Lowe in case number 2026-MCR-006831. This filing, called an Entry of Appearance, is how an attorney officially puts the court and opposing counsel on notice that they are the attorney of record for a defendant. The document was electronically filed with the Bibb County Superior Court Clerk’s office at 12:33 PM.
5/6/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO SET BOND FOR CLEVELAND LOWE
What this means: On May 6, 2026, defense attorney Ryan C. Malone of the Macon Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender filed a formal written request asking Bibb County Superior Court to set a bond for Cleveland Lowe, who had been held without bond since his April 27 arrest. The motion argued that Lowe does not pose a significant flight risk, is not a danger to the community, is not likely to commit another felony while awaiting trial, and is not likely to intimidate witnesses or obstruct justice.
5/14/26
JUDGE GRANTS BOND FOR CLEVELAND LOWE — SET AT $25,000
What this means: On May 14, 2026, Judge Howard Z. Simms signed an order granting bond for Cleveland Lowe in the amount of $25,000. This means Lowe can be released from the Bibb County Jail if that amount is posted. As conditions of the bond, Lowe is prohibited from possessing any firearm, ammunition, or illicit narcotics. He is also required to appear in court as directed and must not commit any new offenses while out on bond. The order was prepared by defense attorney R. Malone.
5/14/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR MENTAL EVALUATION — COMPETENCY AND CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
What this means: On May 14, 2026, defense attorney Ryan C. Malone filed a motion asking Bibb County Superior Court to order a mental health evaluation of Cleveland Lowe. The motion raised questions about whether Lowe is mentally competent to stand trial and about his degree of criminal responsibility at the time of the alleged offense. The filing noted that Lowe has a prior verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, which contributed to the defense’s request. The motion cited O.C.G.A. § 17-7-130(b) and Uniform Superior Court Rules 31.4 and 31.5 as the legal basis for the request.
5/14/26
JUDGE ORDERS MENTAL EVALUATION FOR COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL
What this means: On May 14, 2026, Judge Howard Z. Simms of Bibb County Superior Court — Macon Judicial Circuit — ordered the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to conduct a mental health evaluation of Cleveland Lowe to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. Competency to stand trial means whether a defendant understands what is happening in court proceedings and can meaningfully assist his attorney in his own defense. The evaluation can be conducted at the Bibb County Jail or at a designated hospital. Once the evaluation is complete, the department must report its findings to the court.
5/14/26
JUDGE ORDERS MENTAL EVALUATION FOR CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INSANITY AT TIME OF ALLEGED ACT
What this means: Also on May 14, 2026, Judge Howard Z. Simms issued a separate order directing the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to evaluate Cleveland Lowe regarding his degree of criminal responsibility and whether he may have been legally insane at the time of the alleged offense. This evaluation looks at whether Lowe had the mental capacity to understand right from wrong when the alleged acts occurred, or whether a delusional state may have overridden his will. The evaluation is to be conducted at public expense, and the department’s findings must be reported to the court and to both the defense and prosecution. Defense counsel Ryan C. Malone provided records to support the request.