Friends called 911 before Warner Robins man’s family violence arrest

Reginald Falandos Smith was sentenced to 20 years, with the first seven years to be served in prison, after pleading guilty in Houston County.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- A Warner Robins man will spend seven years in prison after pleading guilty in a family violence aggravated assault case.

Reginald Falandos Smith, 59, pleaded guilty Aug. 20 in Houston County Superior Court to one count of aggravated assault-family violence.

Judge G.E. “Bo” Adams sentenced Smith on Sept. 8 to 20 years, with the first seven years to be served in prison.

Prosecutors say violence had escalated

The Houston Circuit District Attorney’s Office said the case involved multiple instances of family violence in 2025 and 2026.

Smith and the victim lived together and were in a romantic relationship.

Prosecutors said Smith had previously been violent toward the victim in a case out of Richmond County. In that case, they said Smith pistol-whipped the victim inside a vehicle.

Smith was sentenced in the Richmond County case in January 2026 and received probation.

After that, prosecutors said Smith and the victim moved to Houston County.

Friends called 911

Warner Robins police were called to 205 Doyle Street on June 26 after two of the victim’s friends contacted 911.

Prosecutors said the friends had been told by the victim that Smith was attacking her.

When officers arrived, they found Smith and the victim at the home.

According to prosecutors, the victim said an argument turned physical after Smith demanded that she rub lotion on his testicles and she refused.

Prosecutors said Smith became enraged, put his hands around the victim’s neck, and threatened her with a knife.

Warner Robins Police documented the victim’s injuries with photographs and body camera video.

Smith was arrested at the scene.

District attorney says prison sentence was needed

District Attorney Eric Edwards said family violence often escalates.

“Family violence rarely begins with its most egregious act,” Edwards said. “It escalates, particularly when an abuser learns that previous violence has not ended the relationship or resulted in consequences sufficient to change his behavior.”

Edwards said Smith had already been prosecuted for violence against the same victim before the Houston County case.

“That escalating pattern of violence presented a very real danger to this victim, and a prison sentence was necessary to finally interrupt it,” Edwards said.

Trial had been scheduled

A jury trial had been scheduled to begin Sept. 14 after Smith initially filed a demand for a speedy trial.

Smith later withdrew the trial demand and chose to plead guilty.

The state and defense both submitted evidence and argued what they believed would be an appropriate sentence before Smith was sentenced.