Joy Howard

Name:
Howard, Joy Lynn

Date of Booking:
10/07/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault – 5 Counts

Possession of Oxycodone,​ a Schedule II Controlled Substance

Prescription Drugs Must be in Their Original Container(s)

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 10/7/2025, at approximately 08:44 hours, I, Deputy Darius Patterson (Badge #9548), was on duty with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Division, in uniform, with my badge displayed. While on patrol, I was dispatched to 2320 Highway 41 in reference to a report of a white female pointing a gun at individuals on the scene.

Upon arrival, I contacted [VICTIM #1], the property owner, who advised that some individuals were on his property collecting scrap metal when a white woman from [100 BLOCK] 41 Circle came outside and pointed a firearm at them. [VICTIM #1] described the firearm as either a 9mm or .380 caliber handgun that was black and pink. He mentioned that the woman had been intermittently exiting her home, ensuring that the individuals were not disturbing her belongings.

According to [VICTIM #1], the woman expressed frustration, saying she wished they would stop “f*cking” with her. He explained to her that they were recycling some air conditioning units and were not taking any of her property. However, the woman returned with the gun in hand and pointed it at them while standing near an opening in the wooden fence.

I spoke with [VICTIM #2], who stated that he, [VICTIM #3], [VICTIM #4], [VICTIM #1], and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (a juvenile) were in the rear of the property loading scrap metal when the woman emerged with a pink and black gun that resembled a .380 caliber. [VICTIM #2] noted that the woman pointed the gun in the direction of the group but did not target any specific individual. When this occurred, everyone fled from the woman, and [VICTIM #2] and his crew left the property until law enforcement arrived.

After speaking with [VICTIM #3], [VICTIM #4], and [VICTIM #5], they advised that they could not describe the gun but confirmed that it was a handgun. Written statements were obtained from all the individuals involved.

Deputies stood by while [VICTIM #2] and his crew continued to load the metal. As we waited, the woman, Joy Lynn Howard, came out the rear door of [100 BLOCK] Highway 41 Circle. Deputy Fitts informed me that she had a gun in her hand. I immediately radioed for additional units to respond to [100 BLOCK] 41 Circle. I could only see Joy briefly through the fence and could not confirm what she had in her hand. She then retreated back into her residence, closing the door behind her.

Deputy Stephens arrived at the front of [100 BLOCK] 41 Circle, so I proceeded to that address since Deputy Stephens was alone. I blocked off the north side of 41 Circle. After equipping my ballistic shield and drawing my firearm, I maintained my position at my vehicle. Joy was called out to the yard by Lieutenant Labny and Sergeant Frizzell and was taken into custody by Deputy Stephens. Deputy Fitts searched Joy for weapons and contraband, during which she found three Oxycodone pills wrapped in a receipt.

Joy stated that her 16-year-old granddaughter, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was still inside the residence. Deputies called [REDACTED BY AGENCY] outside and confirmed with her that no one else was inside. The deputies cleared the residence and then exited until Investigator Ross arrived on scene with a search warrant.

Upon his arrival, a search of the property was conducted to locate the firearm described by the victims and Deputy Fitts. A black and pink handgun was located inside the residence. The firearm did not have a name or serial number on it, only “Geisler” written on the lower part. The firearm was left with Investigator Ross, and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was turned over to Sergeant Hilton from the juvenile department, who was accompanied by the Department of Family and Children Services.

I met with [REDACTED], Joy’s ex, who agreed to take all the dogs from the residence. Based on statements and evidence collected at the scene, Joy will be charged with five counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a Schedule II substance, and the violation regarding drugs being kept in their original container. All statements will be uploaded to this report.

[End of Narrative]