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:
Lewis, William Earl, IV
Date of Booking:
01/18/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
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 1-11-2026 I Deputy D. Jones responded to [100 BLOCK] Comer Ter in reference to shots fired.
Upon my arrival I made contact with caller Ms. [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated she was inside of the resident visiting a friend when she heard several shots. [VICTIM #1] stated that the resident is a boarding house and she was inside a room in the house with [VICTIM #2]. She stated that it was another female inside of the house at the time but when I tried to make contact I got negative contact with anyone at that time.
While walking around the house I observed the back corner of the house riddled with bullet holes. At that time I advised dispatch to make contact with the fire department and have them responded so that they could gain entry into the resident so that we could go in to make sure that no one was hurt due to that female resident not coming to the door. Once they arrived myself and deputy Benton went in and cleared the house. She finally came out the front and made contact with us. She stated she was scared that’s why she did not come to the door.
In a alley behind the house deputies collected a large amount of spent shell casings from several different caliber weapons. Those casings collected will be turned over to the crime lab as evidence. Also inside the house in the kitchen area several bullet fragments were collected. Sergeant D. Porter was notified of the incident who also notified Lt. W. Dover. On call Gang Unit investigator R. Byrd will be notified via email in reference the incident.
[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:
3/12/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED
What this means: Arlon Williams, a defense attorney from the Circuit Public Defender’s office in Macon, has officially entered the case to represent William Earl Lewis IV, who is accused of aggravated assault in Bibb County Superior Court. This is a formal court filing that establishes the attorney-client relationship and notifies the court and prosecution that Lewis now has legal representation in case number 2026-MC-006448-26-31G2. Having a defense attorney is critical for anyone facing felony charges, as they will handle all legal proceedings and protect the defendant’s rights throughout the case.
5/13/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 4 COUNTS FILED AGAINST CORNELIUS NORMAN COLEMAN, JR. AND WILLIAM EARL LEWIS, IV
What this means: On May 13, 2026, a Bibb County grand jury returned a “True Bill” — meaning they found enough evidence to formally charge both defendants — in Case No. 26CR86798, filed in Bibb Superior Court during the April Term 2026. The indictment was filed at 12:56 PM. District Attorney Anita R. Howard and Prosecutor Tony Moss represent the State. Attorney Jeremy B. Johnson (Bar #954520) is also listed. The four counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges William Earl Lewis, IV and Cornelius Norman Coleman, Jr. with Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. 16-5-21, accused of making an assault upon a victim with a deadly weapon — specifically a firearm — on or about January 18, 2026, in Bibb County.
Count 2 charges both defendants with Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree under O.C.G.A. 16-7-22, accused of knowingly and without authority interfering with a residence at 1435 Bailey Ave in a manner that endangered the life of a victim, by shooting at said residence, on or about January 18, 2026, in Bibb County.
Count 3 charges both defendants again with Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. 16-5-21, accused of making an assault upon a second victim with a deadly weapon — a firearm — on or about January 18, 2026, in Bibb County.
Count 4 charges both defendants again with Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree under O.C.G.A. 16-7-22, accused of knowingly and without authority interfering with the same residence at 1435 Bailey Ave in a manner that endangered the life of the second victim, by shooting at said residence, on or about January 18, 2026, in Bibb County.
An indictment means a grand jury — a panel of citizens — reviewed the State’s evidence and agreed there is probable cause to move the case forward to trial. William Earl Lewis, IV now faces these four felony charges in Bibb Superior Court.
6/24/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED
What this means: William Earl Lewis, IV’s legal team filed a Motion for Bond in Bibb Superior Court on June 24, 2026. This is a formal request asking the court to set a bond amount that would allow Lewis to be released from custody while the case moves forward. A judge will review the motion and decide whether to grant bond, and if so, under what conditions.
6/24/26
MOTION TO RELEASE PROBATION HOLD FILED
What this means: Also on June 24, 2026, a Motion to Release Probation Hold was filed on behalf of William Earl Lewis, IV. A probation hold means that a separate probation authority — from a prior case — has placed a detainer on Lewis, keeping him in custody regardless of bond in this case. This motion asks the court to lift that hold so that a bond decision in the current case can actually result in his release.
6/29/26
NOTICE OF INTENT TO WITHDRAW FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: On June 29, 2026, William Earl Lewis, IV’s attorney filed a Notice of Intent to Withdraw, formally notifying the court that the attorney intends to leave the case. This is a required step before an attorney can officially be removed — the court must be informed before any withdrawal is approved.
6/29/26
MOTION TO WITHDRAW FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: Also on June 29, 2026, the attorney filed the accompanying Motion to Withdraw, formally requesting the court’s permission to be removed as counsel of record for William Earl Lewis, IV. Attorneys must receive court approval before stepping away from an active criminal case.
7/7/26
ORDER PERMITTING WITHDRAWAL GRANTED
What this means: On July 7, 2026, the court granted the motion and officially allowed William Earl Lewis, IV’s attorney to withdraw from the case. As of this date, Lewis either needs to retain new private counsel or, if he qualifies financially, may be appointed a public defender to represent him going forward.