Loren Dingler

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Name:
Dingler, Loren Van

Date of Booking:
03/12/2026

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 12 March 2026 at approximately 05:42 HRS., I, Ofc. Gross, and Ofc. Ford were dispatched to 914 Russell Parkway (Quick Stop) in reference to aggravated assault.

Upon arrival, we made contact with the reporting party, [WITNESS #1]. He advised the victim, [VICTIM #1], had arrived via bicycle to the store he was working at and asked him to call 911. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised the victim was bleeding from the eye area. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised he was in possession of the object used to assault Mr. [VICTIM #1]. Mr. [WITNESS #1] presented a Milwaukee drill with a drill bit attached and no battery. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised bleeding was controlled.

Upon making contact with the Mr. [VICTIM #1], he advised he was involved in a physical altercation with the offender, Loren “Van” Dingler. He further advised he only knew Mr. Dingler by “Van” and only knew him as an acquaintance of the home owner. He stated he arrived at [300 BLOCK] Belmont Drive for work via his bicycle. He advised Mr. Dingler had approached him at this address and started shouting. He advised Mr. Dingler had taken the drill from him and hit him with it.

He further stated he was able to get the drill back before he left the house and left on his bicycle. He advised he wanted EMS to check his injuries, half swollen shut left eye with a puncture wound to the upper eye lid and a puncture wound to the back of the head. Mr. [VICTIM #1] declined transport to 1601 Watson Boulevard [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Upon arrival at [300 BLOCK] Belmont Drive, we made contact with [WITNESS #2]. He advised Loren was inside sleeping. He further advised he was in his room during the altercation. He advised the home owner, [WITNESS #3], was home.

Ms. [WITNESS #3] advised she was inside when the altercation took place. She advised Mr. Dingler had accused Mr. [VICTIM #1] of stealing his bicycle. She advised she heard Mr. Dingler and Mr. [VICTIM #1] arguing at first, later hearing the sounds of a fight occurring in the garage. She advised Mr. Dingler had returned inside of the house bloodied, laid down on the floor, and went back to sleep. Ms. [WITNESS #3] advised Mr. Dingler came by from time to time, but neither Mr. Dingler or Mr. [VICTIM #1] lived at this location.

With Ms. [WITNESS #3]’s consent, we entered the house and made contact with Mr. Dingler. Mr. Dingler was asleep with a black back pack, a white rag under his chin with apparent superficial injuries. Mr. Dingler advised he confronted Mr. [VICTIM #1] about stealing his bicycle. He advised it got physical at this time.

Mr. Dingler was placed into custody during without incident. We advised dispatch to start EMS to our location to evaluate the extent of the wounds Mr. Dingler had. EMS arrived and cleared him for transport to 1601 Watson Boulevard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] for medical clearance.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] likely from the physical altercation this morning with the victim. She advised his current condition was consistent with methamphetamine use. No force was used at any time during this encounter. Mr. Dingler examined by medical staff and was found that his condition was acceptable to take him to jail. Mr. Dingler was transported to Warner Robins Headquarters without incident and refused to process during booking.

Due to the nature of the injuries to Mr. [VICTIM #1], and the testimonies of Ms. [WITNESS #3] and Mr. Dingler indicating Mr. Dingler the primary aggressor, a warrant was signed on this date.

[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

LOREN VAN DINGLER BOOKED INTO HOUSTON COUNTY JAIL — AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGE

What this means: Loren Van Dingler was arrested and booked into the Houston County jail on March 12, 2026, on a charge of aggravated assault (case number 2026C0064591). At this stage, Van Dingler is accused of this offense — no guilt has been determined.

3/24/26

PROSECUTOR ASSIGNED — LAUREN FLETCHER

What this means: On March 24, 2026, the Houston County Superior Court assigned Lauren Fletcher as the prosecuting attorney representing the State of Georgia in the case against Loren Van Dingler.

3/26/26

PLEAS/BONDS HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 3/26/26 AT 9:00 AM

What this means: A hearing was scheduled for March 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Houston County Superior Court to address bond — meaning the court would consider whether Loren Van Dingler could be released from jail before trial and under what conditions.

3/30/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY STEPHEN T. SMITH ASSIGNED — MOTION FOR BOND AND DESIGNATION OF DISCOVERY FILED

What this means: On March 30, 2026, Stephen T. Smith of the Houston County Public Defender’s Office was formally assigned to represent Loren Van Dingler. That same day, Smith filed a motion asking the court to set a reasonable bond so Van Dingler could be released from the Houston County jail while the case proceeds. The filing also notified the court that Van Dingler, through his attorney, agreed to participate in reciprocal discovery — a process where both the defense and the prosecution share evidence with each other ahead of trial.

4/2/26

PLEAS/BONDS HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 4/2/26 AT 9:00 AM

What this means: A second bond hearing was scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Houston County Superior Court. This appears to be a follow-up scheduling of the bond hearing that defense attorney Stephen T. Smith had requested in his March 30 motion.

4/21/26

JUDGE ADAMS ISSUES BOND ORDER — LOREN VAN DINGLER RELEASED ON CONDITIONS

What this means: On April 21, 2026, Judge Adams of the Houston County Superior Court granted bond for Loren Van Dingler, allowing release from jail while the aggravated assault case moves forward. The bond was set at $6,000. Along with posting bond, Van Dingler must comply with several court-ordered conditions: keep defense attorney Stephen T. Smith updated on any changes to address, phone number, or contact information; have absolutely no contact with the alleged victim in this case; avoid any new arrests; and not return to the location where the alleged incident occurred. Van Dingler is also required to remain at a specified Warner Robins address for the duration of the case. The court declined to impose a banishment provision — meaning Van Dingler is not being ordered to stay out of any particular geographic area — because of where the defendant currently resides. Prosecutor Sandra Matson represents the State. The order was filed with the court clerk on April 22, 2026.