Macon man sentenced to 8 years in prison after two Houston County chases

Dymeen Wayne Smith received a 30-year sentence, with eight years in prison, after pleading guilty to fleeing, obstruction, attempted burglary and a drug charge.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Macon man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty in two November chases involving Houston County deputies.

According to a news release from the Houston County District Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Dymeen Wayne Smith pleaded guilty Wednesday just before his jury trial was scheduled to begin.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of fleeing and eluding police, felony obstruction, attempted first-degree burglary and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Visiting Senior Judge Bryant Culpepper sentenced him to 30 years, with the first eight years to serve in prison.

The first chase happened November 20, 2025, when deputies tried to stop Smith for speeding near Highway 247.

Prosecutors say Smith initially slowed down and activated his hazard lights but never stopped. He turned onto residential streets and began driving recklessly at high speeds near schools dismissing students for the day.

Deputies ended the pursuit after several minutes because of the danger, according to the release.

During their investigation, deputies contacted Smith’s then-girlfriend, who owned the vehicle. Prosecutors say she later filed a false report claiming the vehicle had been stolen at Smith’s request.

Deputies later learned she had rented a U-Haul that was due back November 26. That day, they found Smith with the vehicle at the BP gas station at 1201 S. Houston Lake Road.

According to prosecutors, a deputy activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and siren and tried to prevent Smith from leaving. Smith drove into the deputy’s patrol vehicle, circled the gas station and drove onto Houston Lake Road before stopping and running away.

Houston County deputies, Warner Robins police and Georgia State Patrol searched for Smith over the next several hours.

A sheriff’s office K-9 tracked Smith’s scent to his apartment on Lochlyn Place. Deputies obtained a search warrant and found more than 300 grams of marijuana packaged for sale, but Smith was not inside, according to the release.

Meanwhile, residents in the nearby Lattice Bend neighborhood called 911 about a suspicious person. One caller reported someone matching Smith’s description entering an enclosed patio at a home.

Deputies found Smith on the patio, where prosecutors say he had entered through a screened window and removed his clothing down to his underwear. His clothing and cellphone were also found there.

“Our position on fleeing cases is straightforward: if you run from law enforcement in Houston County, we are going to seek a prison sentence,” District Attorney Eric Edwards said.