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Name:
Almazan, Max Franklin
Date of Booking:
12/13/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE – M
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
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 December 12, 2025, officers were dispatched to Port Wentworth City Hall in reference to a domestic report. The call notes advised the incident happened earlier in the day at [100 BLOCK] Parkside Blvd Port Wentworth Chatham County Ga.
When I arrived, I met with [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated around 1700 hours her husband, Max Almazan, at home. They had been arguing because of a blue pill that was in the vehicle. [VICTIM #1] stated that Almazan approached her, and they were arguing in each other’s face. She stated he then grabbed her neck and pulled her down to the ground, kneeing her in her stomach twice. [VICTIM #1] stated she attempted to remove Almazan’s hand from her neck. While doing this [VICTIM #1]’ right index fingernail broke. [VICTIM #1] stated that she could not breathe and was gasping for air. I observed scratch marks on the left side of [VICTIM #1]’ neck. [VICTIM #1] stated she left the residence and began cleaning her vehicle contemplating calling police. [VICTIM #1] advised she is 7 weeks pregnant.
[VICTIM #1] stated she was afraid of Almazan since he had been acting erratic for some time. She was informed to call police if he showed up at the residence. [VICTIM #1] was given a Domestic Violence Pamphlet. I informed her on how to get a copy of the report. She was also instructed on how to get a TPO.
All required processing documents were complete to include the Victim Notification Form.
[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:
12/13/25
MAX FRANKLIN ALMAZAN BOOKED INTO CHATHAM COUNTY DETENTION CENTER
What this means: Max Franklin Almazan was arrested and booked into the Chatham County Detention Center on December 13, 2025, in connection with charges of Aggravated Assault (a felony) and Simple Battery – Family Violence (a misdemeanor). At this stage, these are accusations only — Max Franklin Almazan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
12/19/25
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL NANCY GREY SMITH
What this means: Assistant Public Defender Nancy Grey Smith formally notified the Chatham County Superior Court that she would be representing Max Franklin Almazan in case number SPCR25-03484-J2. This is a standard filing that puts the court and the prosecution on notice that the defendant has legal representation.
2/25/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED ON BEHALF OF MAX FRANKLIN ALMAZAN
What this means: Defense attorney Nancy Grey Smith filed a formal request asking the Chatham County Superior Court to set a bond so that Max Franklin Almazan could be released from the Chatham County Detention Center while awaiting trial. The motion noted that the defendant had been held without bond since his December 13, 2025 arrest and argued that he posed no significant flight risk or danger. A judge would need to hold a hearing and rule on this request before any bond could be set.
2/25/26
RULE NISI FILED — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 4/21/26
What this means: Along with the bond motion, defense attorney Nancy Grey Smith filed a Rule Nisi — a formal court notice scheduling the bond hearing before the Honorable Judge Walmsley on April 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. This document simply sets the date and time for the court to consider the bond request.
3/11/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 3 COUNTS FILED AGAINST MAX FRANKLIN ALMAZAN
What this means: A Chatham County grand jury formally indicted Max Franklin Almazan during the March Term, 2026, under case number SPCR25-03484-J2. The indictment was signed by District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and Assistant District Attorney Candace N. Blyden of the Eastern Judicial Circuit. A grand jury indictment means a panel of citizens reviewed the evidence and found enough to formally charge the defendant and send the case to trial. Max Franklin Almazan is accused of the following:
Count 1 — Aggravated Assault, Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21): Max Franklin Almazan is accused of making an assault upon the alleged victim on or about December 12, 2025, using his hand — described as an object likely to result in strangulation — by allegedly placing his hand around the alleged victim’s neck and applying pressure. The accused and the alleged victim are alleged to have been living in the same household at the time.
Count 2 — Battery, Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(f)(2)): Max Franklin Almazan is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm to the alleged victim on or about December 12, 2025. The accused and the alleged victim are alleged to have been living in the same household at the time.
Count 3 — Simple Battery, Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23(f)): Max Franklin Almazan is accused of intentionally causing physical harm to the alleged victim on or about December 12, 2025. The accused and the alleged victim are alleged to have been living in the same household at the time and are alleged not to have been siblings.
3/12/26
NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL FILED — ATTORNEYS CRIS SCHNEIDER AND COURTNEY LERCH ENTER AS NEW DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: On March 12, 2026, a notice was filed in the Chatham County Superior Court indicating that attorneys Cris Schneider and Courtney Lerch of Schneider, Lerch, LLC in Savannah, Georgia, were substituting in as defense counsel for Max Franklin Almazan, replacing prior counsel. The substitution was made at the defendant’s request and with his consent. The case is assigned to the Honorable Judge Gregory Sapp. All future court filings in case SPCR25-03484-J2 are to be directed to the new counsel.
3/12/26
DEFENDANT’S ELECTION TO PROCEED UNDER FORMAL DISCOVERY AND DISCOVERY DEMAND FILED
What this means: Defense attorney Nancy Grey Smith filed a notice on behalf of Max Franklin Almazan electing to use Georgia’s formal discovery process under O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1. This means the defense is entitled — and the prosecution is required — to share evidence, witness lists, and other materials before trial. The filing also formally demanded that the State turn over all evidence it is legally required to disclose, including anything that could help the defense. This is a routine but important step in preparing for trial.
3/12/26
MOTION TO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO FILE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS FILED ON BEHALF OF MAX FRANKLIN ALMAZAN
What this means: Defense attorney Nancy Grey Smith filed a motion asking the Chatham County Superior Court to allow Max Franklin Almazan’s legal team to file additional motions later in the case if needed. The filing noted that informal discovery was still ongoing and that new materials from the State could require further legal action. The motion also requested that all hearings be recorded by a certified court reporter.
4/23/26
BOND DENIED — ORDER ON BOND APPLICATION ISSUED BY JUDGE PENNY FREESEMANN
What this means: Following the bond hearing, the Honorable Judge Penny Freesemann of the Chatham County Superior Court denied bond for Max Franklin Almazan on April 23, 2026. The court found two specific grounds for denial: that Max Franklin Almazan poses a significant threat or danger to the alleged victim, that he poses a significant risk of committing a felony while the case is pending and a prior criminal history from three states. Max Franklin Almazan will remain held in the Chatham County Detention Center without bond.
5/26/26
STATE’S DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: The prosecution in Chatham County Superior Court case SPCR25-03484-J2 filed its initial discovery disclosure on May 26, 2026, providing evidence and materials to the defense. Along with this disclosure, the State made a reciprocal discovery demand — a formal request that the defense turn over any evidence or witness information it intends to use at trial. This is part of the standard pretrial discovery process in which both sides exchange evidence before trial.
5/27/26
STATE’S DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: The prosecution filed a second discovery disclosure and reciprocal demand on May 27, 2026, likely containing additional evidence or supplemental materials related to the charges against Max Franklin Almazan. This may include witness statements, police reports, photographs, or other evidence relevant to the Aggravated Assault and Battery charges.
6/3/26
CALENDAR CALL/ARRAIGNMENT HEARING SCHEDULED — COURTROOM 4D WITH JUDGE WALMSLEY
What this means: A calendar call and arraignment hearing has been scheduled for June 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 4D before Judge Walmsley at the Chatham County Superior Court. At an arraignment, Max Franklin Almazan will be formally presented with the charges against him and asked to enter a plea. A calendar call is when the court checks the status of the case and confirms it is ready to move forward on the court’s schedule.
6/3/26
MAX FRANKLIN ALMAZAN ARRAIGNED — PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: Max Franklin Almazan appeared before the Chatham County Superior Court on June 3, 2026, for his arraignment. He was formally presented with the three counts against him — Aggravated Assault (Family Violence), Battery (Family Violence), and Simple Battery (Family Violence) — and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. By pleading not guilty, Max Franklin Almazan denies the accusations and the case will proceed toward trial.
6/4/26
DEFENSE ENTRY OF APPEARANCE AND CONSOLIDATED MOTIONS FILED BY ATTORNEYS CRIS SCHNEIDER AND COURTNEY LERCH
What this means: On June 4, 2026, defense attorneys Cris Schneider and Courtney Lerch filed an entry of appearance and consolidated motions on behalf of Max Franklin Almazan in Chatham County Superior Court case SPCR25-03484-J2. The consolidated motions likely address multiple legal issues or requests in a single filing rather than separate motions. This is a standard pretrial filing in which the defense raises legal arguments or requests for the court’s consideration.
10/15/26
TRIAL DOCKET CALL SCHEDULED FOR 1:30 P.M.
What this means: A trial docket call has been scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Chatham County Superior Court. At a docket call, the court confirms that both sides are ready to proceed to trial, addresses any last-minute issues or motions, and ensures all parties and witnesses are present. This indicates that Max Franklin Almazan’s case is moving toward trial on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Battery, and Simple Battery — all involving family violence.