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Name:
Howard, Tan Niya Jakeise Letaye
Date of Booking:
04/01/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED BATTERY
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 Wednesday April 1st, 2026 I, PFC J Taylor R77, was dispatched to [100 BLOCK] Reservoir St in reference to a fight.
Upon arrival I made contact with [VICTIM #1] who advised that her girlfriend, Tan’niya Howard, had punched her in the mouth and knocked her teeth out. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was in Tan’niya bed room when the two began to argue and during this time she went over to the chest of drawer to collect some of her belongings. [VICTIM #1] stated that Tan’niya walked over to her and struck her in her face with a closed face and began beating her up. [VICTIM #1] stated that during this time she did not fight back but did attempt to gain distance.
[VICTIM #1] stated that while in the physical altercation she moved to the other side of the room, grabbed a bottle of Icy Hot Spray as well as a lighter and blow a torch flame in Tan’niya general direction to create distance. While speaking to [VICTIM #1] I observed her front two teeth were missing as well as her upper lip was visible swollen. Another officer on scene observed [VICTIM #1] holding her teeth in her hand.
I spoke to Tan’niya who advised that she was was in her room when [VICTIM #1] began going through her stuff in an attempt to snooping. Tan’niya states that she confronted her about and because of this the two go into a verbal argument. Tan’niya states that during this time [VICTIM #1] approached her and struck her in her face and because of this she ran after [VICTIM #1] and struck her in the mouth.
Tan’niya stated that the two began physically fighting and during this time the torch was emitted from the aerosol can from [VICTIM #1] at a far distance. While speaking to Tan’niya I observed several scratch marks on her right shoulder and a small cut on her upper lip. Tan’niya stated that she had other injuries but was to upset to care. Both woman’s injuries where captured and upload to Evidence.com.
While on scene Tan’niya attempted to show me video footage from her phone but would fast ward through the video to only show me certain part of of the interactions. While asked to play the whole video she became irate, turned off the phone, stuck it in her pocket and told be not to worry about it. Tan’niya did this several times when telling me her story. No one else was in the room during the incident but several subject were in the residence during and stated that they only hear the commotion from outside the room.
Based on the physical evidence I advised Tan’niya that she was under arrest and placed her in handcuffs (double locked and checked for size). I then placed her in the back seat of my Patrol Unit (177). I transported and booked Tan’niya in at the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Aggravated Battery – 16-5-24. Both parties advised that they do not live together nor have the previously lived together.
[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:
8/7/26
PROPERTY BOND SET AT $10,000
What this means: Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard was released from custody on a $10,000 property bond, filed in Floyd Superior Court on August 7, 2026. A property bond means that real estate — rather than cash — was pledged as security to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in court. The bond was secured by a property owner with net equity of $10,000 in Floyd County real estate and was approved by the court. As a condition of the bond, Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard is required to appear at all scheduled court proceedings in the Rome Judicial Circuit. Failure to appear would result in the bond being forfeited and a bench warrant issued for her arrest.
8/7/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 2 COUNTS FILED AGAINST TAN’NIYA JAKEISE HOWARD
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury formally indicted Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard, also known as Howard, Tan and Howard, Tannyya, on two felony counts during the July Term 2026. The case is numbered 26CR01361-4, assigned to Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson, and prosecuted by District Attorney Leigh E. Patterson. Both counts stem from an incident alleged to have occurred on or about April 1, 2026.
Count 1 — Aggravated Battery (O.C.G.A. 16-5-24, Felony): Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard is accused of maliciously causing bodily harm to the alleged victim by depriving the victim of a member of her body or rendering a member of her body useless — specifically by striking the alleged victim about the face and mouth with her hands and fists, allegedly causing two teeth to fall out.
Count 2 — Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21, Felony): Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard is accused of making an assault upon the alleged victim using her hands and fists, which the indictment describes as objects, devices, and instruments likely to result in serious bodily injury when used offensively, by striking the alleged victim about the face and mouth.
An indictment means a grand jury reviewed the state’s evidence and found probable cause to formally charge the defendant. It does not mean Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard has been found guilty of anything.
9/18/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 9/18/26
What this means: Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard is scheduled to appear for arraignment on September 18, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom C of the Floyd County Superior Court. The notice was issued by Clerk Mary Hardin Thornton on August 25, 2026. Arraignment is the formal court hearing at which a defendant is read the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Tan’Niya Jakeise Howard is required by law to be present. Failure to appear could result in an arrest warrant being issued.
