Benjamin Martin

Name:
Martin, Benjamin Lawson

Date of Booking:
07/18/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON OR FIRST OFFENDER

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 Thursday, July 17, 2025, at approximately 2340 hours, Thomas County Dispatch advised the Boston Police Department of a possible physical domestic dispute. Dispatch reported hearing a male in the background telling a crying and screaming female to “quit crying and stand up.”

Boston Police Department Officer Melvin Morrison responded to the scene. Upon arrival on Adams Street, Officer Morrison advised it was the wrong address, but he was able to locate the correct location due to the dispute still actively occurring. He located the involved parties at [200 BLOCK] S. Stephens Street and requested additional units. Officer Morrison further advised that the male subject had pushed him out of the house and stated he was not going to jail before slamming the door closed. Morrison confirmed he had secured the female victim and was relocating her to his patrol vehicle.

Cpl. Hurst and Lt. Antes responded to assist. Upon Lt. Antes’ arrival, he observed Officer Morrison and Cpl. Hurst at the rear of the Boston PD patrol car with a female sitting on the ground. The female, later identified as [VICTIM #1], was visibly injured—covered in dirt and scratches and bleeding from her mouth. She was moved to the back of Lt. Antes’ patrol vehicle to increase distance from the residence.

[VICTIM #1] reported that the male offender, identified as Benjamin Martin, had begun punching her in the face while they were traveling home from Florida in her vehicle. Upon arriving at her residence, the physical altercation continued inside the home. [VICTIM #1] stated she was eventually able to escape and call 911. While she spoke, Lt. Antes noted that she was speaking through a clenched jaw and appeared to be missing teeth due to the amount of blood in her mouth.

[VICTIM #1] further advised that there were two long guns in the home: a .22 caliber rifle and, in her words, “something much larger.” She described Benjamin Martin as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, 250 pounds, with curly blonde hair, wearing a teal shirt. Officer Morrison confirmed this description and further advised he was able to locate the residence by following the sounds of yelling and the impacts of Martin striking [VICTIM #1].

Lt. Antes instructed responding units to establish a perimeter. Upon the arrival of Cpl. Worsham, Sgt. Cooper, Deputy Bush, and Ofc. Thomas, a perimeter was established around the residence. Lt. Antes had dispatch notify Chief Pettus of the Boston Police Department, Capt. McDonald, and Sheriff Watkins. Lt. Antes also made direct contact with Sheriff Watkins via phone.

After briefing the Sheriff, Thomas County and Thomasville SWAT teams were activated through Sgt. Lamon and Lt. Newberry. On-scene units held perimeter positions with the last known location of Martin believed to be inside the residence.

Shortly thereafter, Chief Pettus, Capt. McDonald, Sgt. Paul Murphy, and Officer Courtney arrived on scene. Lt. Antes obtained a phone number for Martin from [VICTIM #1], and multiple phone call attempts were made, but none were answered. Chief Pettus attempted to call Martin over the PA system from his patrol vehicle, but there was still no response.

Lt. Antes, along with Sgt. Murphy, Officer Courtney, Deputy Bush, and Cpl. Worsham, approached the rear of the residence and found the back door unsecured. Lt. Antes opened that door and called out to Martin, but received no response. The team then returned to the perimeter to await SWAT’s arrival before proceeding with entry.

Deputy Antes moved to the front of the home to pass along information, while moving back to the rear of the house, a deputy advised that a subject matching the description of Benjamin Martin was behind him. Units at the front of the home positively identified the subject as Martin, gave verbal commands, and took him into custody without further incident. It appeared that Martin had exited the residence from the rear prior to the perimeter being fully established.

Thomas County EMS evaluated [VICTIM #1] at the scene, but she refused all medical treatment. Thomas County CID and ID also had been notified earlier and responded to the scene for investigation and documentation. Upon there arrival, the scene was turned over to Deputy Surles and Lt. Forte. The Boston Police Department also turned over their investigation to The Sheriff’s Office for prospection but advised they would do the report for the incident.

[End of Narrative]