Man sentenced after Warner Robins pursuit leads to four-county chase

The battery charge stems from an October 18, 2025.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Pendergrass man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a domestic violence case and a high-speed chase through four Middle Georgia counties, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.

42-year-old Howard Walter Spann II pleaded guilty August 5 in Houston County Superior Court to one count of felony fleeing and attempting to elude police and one count of battery-family violence. Spann was sentenced to 15 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison.

According to the district attorney’s office, the battery charge stems from an October 18, 2025, incident at a home on Green Street in Warner Robins.

Prosecutors said Spann got into a verbal confrontation with an adult male family member before the confrontation became physical. Spann struck the man in the face with his fists, leaving him with visible injuries, according to the release.

Warner Robins police responded to the home after Spann had left and later obtained warrants for his arrest.

On January 30, Houston County sheriff’s deputies spotted Spann in a vehicle at the Enmarket on Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins, according to the district attorney’s office. Deputies knew Spann had an outstanding warrant and attempted to take him into custody.

Prosecutors said Spann instead drove away, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Houston, Peach, Crawford and Bibb counties.

During the pursuit, Spann reached speeds of more than 100 mph, ran stop signs, drove on the wrong side of the road, passed other vehicles erratically and drove off the roadway, according to the district attorney’s office.

The chase ended in Crawford County after Spann lost control of his vehicle and became stuck in a ditch.

According to prosecutors, Spann then retrieved what appeared to be a rifle from his vehicle and pointed it toward nearly 30 law enforcement officers from the four counties. After several minutes, Spann dropped the weapon and surrendered. Authorities later determined the weapon was a BB gun.

Spann was arrested on charges related to the pursuit as well as the previous warrants.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith released the following statement:

“The Houston County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Warner Robins Police Department, as well as the other assisting law enforcement agencies including the Centerville Police Department, the Byron Police Department, the Peach County Sheriff’s Office, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol, for their collaborative efforts in bringing this criminal to justice. The Office would especially like to highlight the efforts of Deputy Stephanie Lenigar, Deputy William Treadway, Officer Adam McLeod, and Officer John Jump. Not only should family members be free from the fear of receiving violent injuries from their loved ones, but each and every person traveling on our local roadways should feel safe while riding on these roadways. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the community from career criminals, as well as ensuring that fleeing motorists always go to prison following a conviction.”

District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:

“This defendant’s conduct endangered countless innocent people at every stage of this case. What began as an act of family violence escalated months later into a reckless, four-county pursuit at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, placing law enforcement officers, motorists, and entire communities at
unnecessary risk. Particularly alarming was the defendant’s decision to point what appeared to be a rifle at nearly thirty responding law enforcement officers after the pursuit had come to an end. In those tense moments, officers had every reason to believe they were facing a deadly threat. Thankfully, they exercised remarkable discipline, restraint, and professionalism, bringing this dangerous situation to a peaceful conclusion without anyone losing their life. I commend the coordinated efforts of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Warner Robins Police Department, and every assisting agency that worked together to safely apprehend this defendant, as well as the prosecution of this case by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith. Our office has consistently sought substantial prison sentences for those who flee from law enforcement because these pursuits are never victimless crimes. Every time a fleeing suspect chooses to turn our highways into a racetrack, innocent families pay the price by having their safety placed in jeopardy. This sentence reflects the seriousness of those choices and our commitment to protecting the people of Houston County.”