Warner Robins man sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to family violence, firearm charges
The guilty pleas stem from two separate instances, one in September 2024 and another in January 2026.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Warner Robins man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple violent and felony charges stemming from two separate incidents, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
36-year-old Antonio Tyrone Stern pleaded guilty to aggravated assault – family violence, battery – family violence, cruelty to children in the third degree (two counts), and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 23, 2026.
The guilty pleas stem from two separate instances, one in September 2024 and another in January 2026.
Stern was sentenced to a total of 20 years, with the first eight years to be served in prison.
On September 20, 2024, officers with the Warner Robins Police Department were dispatched to a home in the 1000 block of Kathleen Bynum Drive in reference to a report of a domestic dispute in progress.
According to the district attorney’s office, Stern got into a verbal argument with his former live-in girlfriend and attacked the victim by striking her numerous times in the face and putting his hands around her neck during the argument. The attack occurred in front of two minor children.
The news release states that the victim escaped Stern and contacted 911. Officers arrived and observed injuries on the victim’s face, body and neck. Stern fled the scene, and warrants were obtained for his arrest.
In January 2026, deputies with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office observed a minibike weaving and impeding traffic flow on Highway 247.
According to the news release, deputies initiated a traffic stop, and Stern, who was driving the minibike, pulled over.
Stern fled the traffic stop before the responding deputy could make contact regarding the traffic infractions.
Authorities said Stern sped away, nearly striking other vehicles and driving on the wrong side of the roadway. He eventually stopped fleeing on the minibike but then fled on foot.
The district attorney’s office said deputies caught Stern after a short foot chase.
Stern had a firearm at the time of his arrest. The district attorney’s office added that Stern was a convicted felon at the time of the offense for a 2013 theft conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith of the Houston Circuit District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
“The Houston County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Warner Robins Police Department and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding efforts in bringing this domestic abuser to justice. The Office would especially like to highlight the efforts of Officer Taylor Johnson with the Warner Robins Police Department and Deputy Chad Cuskey for their efforts in these cases. All members of our community should be safe from domestic abuse. While these narcissistic abusers think they are above the law and will avoid facing the consequences of their cycles of violence, the District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to standing up for the most vulnerable in our community. Everybody counts; or nobody counts. The District Attorney’s Office will always seek to eradicate domestic violence in our community. Additionally, this Office will hold convicted felons found in possession of a handgun accountable for their actions following a conviction.”
District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:
“This case reflects a pattern of escalating behavior that we take very seriously. The defendant committed acts of violence against a partner in the presence of children, and then later demonstrated a complete disregard for the law by fleeing from law enforcement while unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Family violence is not a private matter—it is a public safety issue, especially when children are forced to witness it. Those situations create lasting harm and are often a precursor to even more serious violence if not addressed. I am grateful for the work of the Warner Robins Police Department and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the prosecution of this case by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith. The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of this conduct and our commitment to holding offenders accountable before that cycle of violence escalates further.
