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:
Fleetwood, Avant Deshawn
Date of Booking:
03/23/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS – MISDEMEANOR
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY – 1ST DEGREE (Private Property)
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-ALLOW CHILD TO WITNESS FELONY/BATTERY/FAMILY VIOLENCE-3RD DEGREE
Battery – Family Violence (1st Offense) (M)
Aggravated Assault
PROBATION VIOLATION (WHEN PROBATION TERMS ARE ALTERED) – FELONY
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on March 23, 2026]
On March 23, 2026 I was dispatched to [200 BLOCK] Park Rd Apt [REDACTED] for a physical domestic. While I was en-route dispatch advised that the aggressor had hit the victim over the head with a TV. I activated my lights and sirens and expedited my response time. When I arrived I met with [VICTIM #1] who is the victim/mother. She told me that her and her other son [VICTIM #2] came home from groceries shopping when she went and talked to Avant and told him that they all needed to slow down on eating so much because she was paying to much. Avant got upset at her and started yelling and cussing her.
[VICTIM #1] said that she told him she was calling the police to have him removed and when he heard the female voice on the other end of the call he got even madder and picked up a TV in the room and hit her over the head with it. After he hit her with the TV he picked up the gaming system and hit her in the face with it. [VICTIM #2] heard Avant yelling and hitting his mother he went in to the room and tackled him getting him away from [VICTIM #1]. They said that he somehow got away and took off on foot before we got there.
I noticed that [VICTIM #1] had blood running down her arm and that she had a cut on her left wrist. When asked about losing consciousness she said no she did not but she did see stars and has a bad headache. I then talked with [VICTIM #2] (Juvenile) who is fifteen said that she was in the house and she heard everything but did not see it.
An Ambulance was called to the location to check [VICTIM #1] out. Because of her getting hit in the head and her having a headache they advised her she probably needed to go get checked to make sure she did not have a concussion. [VICTIM #1] was transported to the hospital.
Myself and other officers were in the area driving around looking for Avant when Investigator Roubieu saw him on the Railroad tracks behind the health department. Avant took off running and Roubieu started chasing him. He called back saying that he lost sight of him and Capt. Johnson and Pfc. Smith where in the area and Avant ran at them. They ended up apprehending him and I transported him to the Floyd county jail.
While I was en-route to the jail Avant was spitting in the back of my patrol car and the he started kicking my partition. No damage was done to my vehicle. Because of the way he was acting when I arrived at the jail I had multiple jail officers and deputy’s standing by and he calmed down when he seen them but when we got into the jail he started to act out. At that time, he was then cleared and taken to a holding cell.
Handcuffs checked for fit and double locked
Backseat checked before and after transport
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on March 23, 2026]
On 03/23/26 at 14:22 hours, I PFC B. Smith responded to Park Rd in reference to a report of a physical domestic. Prior to my arrival the suspect, AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD had fled on foot.
Avant was seen on E 12th St by other officers and fled behind the health department.
At 1515 hours, I PFC B. Smith was on E 12th near Cedar Ave in a marked patrol vehicle and in full uniform. I located Avant on the train tracks and got out of my patrol car. I began giving verbal commands. Due to not knowing if he was armed and him actively fleeing law enforcement, I drew my department issued pistol and pointed it at him while giving verbal commands.
I then grabbed Avant and placed him into handcuffs. He continuously tried to pull away and began getting violent. I escorted him to my car where I searched him incident to arrest. He was then released to PFC Pelanek.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on March 23, 2026]
On 03/23/26 at 14:22 hours, Officers responded to Park Rd in reference to a report of a physical domestic. Dispatch advised that a male subject was striking his mother in the head with a TV. Prior to our arrival dispatch advised that the suspect (Avant Fleetwood) had fled on foot away from the apartments. Dispatch was able to give officers the suspects name and description.
While Officers were checking the area, Officer Rubio located the suspect near the scene behind the health clinic parking lot. Officer Rubio gave pursuit but lost him giving Officers his last known description and area of travel. Officer Smith and myself were nearby and traveled to the area that we believed that he would be heading toward. We located him off Cedar Ave walking up the train tracks.
Officer Smith and myself exited the patrol vehicle and moved toward the suspect giving him verbal commands to get on his knees and keep his hands up. Due to the suspect already fleeing from officers, I drew my departmental issue taser and pointed in the suspects direction. Fleetwood complied with orders and got down on his knees, hands up and then was placed in handcuffs by officer Smith. Fleetwood was escorted back to Officer Pelaneks patrol car and was transported to the county jail.
[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:
3/23/26
AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN FLOYD COUNTY
What this means: Avant Deshawn Fleetwood was booked into custody in Floyd County on this date. The defendant is accused of aggravated assault, battery (family violence, first offense), cruelty to children (allowing a child to witness a felony/battery/family violence, third degree), criminal damage to property in the first degree, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, and a felony probation violation. These are the charges that triggered the case now moving through Floyd County Superior Court under Case No. 26PI00129.
3/26/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND IN FLOYD COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: Attorney Jonathan Speiser (Georgia Bar No. 235654) filed a formal written request asking Floyd County Superior Court to set a bond — meaning a dollar amount Avant Deshawn Fleetwood could pay to be released from jail while the case is pending. Without a bond, the defendant remains held in custody. The motion was filed under Case No. 26PI00129-3 and asks the court to set whatever bond amount it considers reasonable.
3/27/26
JUDGE ISSUES RULE NISI — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 3/31/26
What this means: Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson of Floyd County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi in response to the defense’s motion for bond. A Rule Nisi is a court order directing the opposing party — here, the State of Georgia — to appear and show cause why the requested relief (bond) should not be granted. The hearing was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 31, 2026, at the Floyd County Courthouse. The order was presented by defense attorney Jonathan Speiser.
3/27/26
JUDGE JOHNSON ISSUES DISCLOSURE NOTICE REGARDING FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
What this means: Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson issued a standing disclosure notice applicable to all criminal cases assigned to him, including Avant Deshawn Fleetwood’s case. The notice discloses that a member of Judge Johnson’s immediate family serves as an assistant district attorney in the Rome Judicial Circuit. Per the notice, Judge Johnson will automatically step aside from any matter in which that family member is personally involved. However, where the family member is not personally involved, judicial ethics guidance indicates automatic recusal is not required. Any party wishing to seek recusal or disqualification must do so under Uniform Superior Court Rule 25.
3/31/26
BOND DENIED — AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY
What this means: Following the bond hearing, Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson signed a Bond Order denying bond for Avant Deshawn Fleetwood. The court checked the box indicating bond was denied because of the risk of Avant Deshawn Fleetwood committing a felony while the case is pending trial. The State opposed bond. Assistant District Attorney Charlie Wedding represented the State. Because bond was denied, Avant Deshawn Fleetwood will remain held in custody at the Floyd County jail while the case continues through the court process.
6/12/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 5 COUNTS FILED AGAINST AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Avant Deshawn Fleetwood during the May Term 2026, formally charging him with five counts. The case was assigned Case No. 26CR00953-3 in Floyd County Superior Court. The indictment was filed in the clerk’s office on June 12, 2026, and filed by the grand jury bailiff on June 12, 2026. Here is what each count accuses Avant Deshawn Fleetwood of doing on or about March 23, 2026:
Count 1 — Aggravated Assault, Family Violence (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-5-21): Avant Deshawn Fleetwood is accused of making an assault upon the victim using a television — an object which, when used offensively, is likely to cause serious bodily injury — by pushing up and striking the victim with the television and striking the victim on the head with it. The victim is alleged to be related to the defendant.
Count 2 — Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-7-23): Avant Deshawn Fleetwood is accused of intentionally damaging a television belonging to the victim, without her consent, by pushing up and striking the victim with the television, causing damage exceeding $500.00.
Count 3 — Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (Misdemeanor, O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(d)): Avant Deshawn Fleetwood is accused of, while being the primary aggressor, unlawfully committing a forcible felony — specifically the aggravated assault described in Count 1 — while a child under the age of eighteen was present and able to see and hear the act.
Count 4 — Battery, Family Violence (Misdemeanor, O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(f)(2)): Avant Deshawn Fleetwood is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm to the victim — specifically a cut on the wrist — by striking the victim with a television and a gaming system. The victim is alleged to be related to the defendant.
Count 5 — Obstruction of an Officer (Misdemeanor, O.C.G.A. 16-10-24(a)): Avant Deshawn Fleetwood is accused of knowingly and willfully obstructing and hindering a Floyd County Police Department officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties by fleeing from the officer and refusing lawful commands to stop.
6/17/26
COURT APPOINTS PUBLIC DEFENDER TO REPRESENT AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD
What this means: The court determined that Avant Deshawn Fleetwood qualifies as indigent — meaning he does not have the financial means to hire a private attorney — under the criteria of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act. As a result, the Office of the Public Defender for the Rome Judicial Circuit was appointed to represent him. Attorney Jonathan Speiser was specifically designated as attorney of record in Case No. 26CR00953-003. The appointment order was signed by the Indigent Coordinator for the Rome Judicial Circuit and filed in the clerk’s office on June 17, 2026.
6/18/26
DEFENSE FILES DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: Attorney Jonathan Speiser filed a formal demand for discovery on behalf of Avant Deshawn Fleetwood. This is a standard legal request requiring the prosecution to share evidence it has gathered — such as police reports, witness statements, video footage, and other materials — with the defense before trial. This gives the defense team the opportunity to review the State’s evidence and prepare accordingly.
7/10/26
AVANT DESHAWN FLEETWOOD ARRAIGNED — PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: Avant Deshawn Fleetwood appeared for arraignment in Floyd County Superior Court on July 10, 2026. The defendant waived his right to have the indictment read aloud, waived the list of witnesses and full panel, and waived formal arraignment — all standard procedural steps a defendant can skip when they are ready to enter a plea. Avant Deshawn Fleetwood, represented by attorney Jonathan Speiser, entered a plea of not guilty. The document was filed in the clerk’s office on July 10, 2026, at 9:12 a.m. The case now moves toward trial.
7/27/26
CALENDAR CALL — JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED
What this means: A calendar call was held for Avant Deshawn Fleetwood in Floyd Superior Court. A jury trial is scheduled for September 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. A calendar call is a court proceeding where the judge confirms that all parties are ready to proceed to trial on the scheduled date.