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Name:
McDowell, Johnathan Jerome
Date of Booking:
02/02/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN IN THE 3RD DEGREE – 1ST OR 2ND OFFENSE – MISDEMEANOR
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 2/2/26 at 0609 hrs, I, Corporal J. Williams #2252, answered a call at [3800 BLOCK] Rice Mill Rd, Macon, GA, 31206 in reference to a Domestic Disturbance with Shots Fired.
Upon arrival at the home, contact was made with the suspect’s mother, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that her son, Johnathan McDowell, was in an altercation with his child’s mother, [VICTIM #2]. She heard a shot fired, and Johnathan left. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised that after the shot was fired, she found the gun lying on the floor in the living room and secured it in her room. She was inside her bedroom at the time the shot was fired.
[VICTIM #2] stated that initially, she was asleep in the back bedroom. Johnathan came home drunk and started talking about some unknown nonsense. [VICTIM #2] advised that it’s not uncommon for Johnathan to come home drunk and go off on other people in the house. [VICTIM #2] stated that after Johnathn woke her up, he started a physical fight with her. At that time, the 3 children, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY], ran toward their grandmother’s room. [VICTIM #2] stated that the argument led to the front of the house. After she went into the grandmother’s bedroom behind the kids, Johnathan fired a shot from her Smith and Wesson SD9 VE 9mm (serial # FWN0567) in their direction through the wall. Johnathan then left the house in an unknown direction. Ms. [VICTIM #2] advised that the gun is usually kept in the bedroom, under the mattress.
The firearm and the shell casing was recoverd from the living room. It will be entered into the crime lab as evidence. Warrants will be issued for Johnathan for Aggravated Assault, Family Violence, and Cruelty to Children.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
2/16/26
MOTION TO SET BOND FILED
What this means: Johnathan Jerome McDowell’s defense attorney filed a formal request asking the Bibb County Superior Court to set a bond amount so he could be released from jail while his case is pending. McDowell is accused of aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the 3rd degree. The motion argues that he poses no significant flight risk or danger to the community and will remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
2/16/26
MOTION TO INVOKE USCR 1.2 ORDER FILED
What this means: McDowell’s attorney Frank Howard filed a motion asking the court to invoke Uniform Superior Court Rule 1.2, which deals with the 120-day order in criminal cases. This rule typically requires the prosecution to be ready for trial within a certain timeframe or face potential dismissal of charges.
2/16/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Frank Howard from the Office of the Circuit Public Defender officially entered his appearance as McDowell’s defense attorney in this Bibb County case. Frank Howard will now represent McDowell on the charges of aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the 3rd degree.
2/26/26
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S PETITION FOR BOND
What this means: Judge Superior Court Bibb County granted McDowell’s request for bond and set it at $5,000. The court ordered that firearms must not be present in his residence and that he must have no contact with the victim. McDowell can now be released from jail by posting this bond amount while his case proceeds through the court system.
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