Warner Robins man sentenced to 20 years for 2025 home burglary

he District Attorney’s Office said Lanier, originally from Miami, Florida, had several prior burglary convictions.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Warner Robins man was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison, after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.

58-year-old George Eugene Lanier entered his guilty plea Wednesday, October 21, moments before his jury trial was scheduled to begin in Houston County Superior Court.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Lanier broke into a home off Iverness Avenue in Warner Robins shortly after noon on November 18, 2025.

Investigators said a neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera captured Lanier entering the back of the residence without permission. Once inside, Lanier stole U.S. currency and Mexican pesos belonging to the homeowner before fleeing.

The victim was not home at the time, and no confrontation occurred.

Neighbors contacted 911, prompting officers with the Warner Robins Police Department to respond.

Police located Lanier walking a few blocks away from the residence. After reviewing the doorbell camera footage and confirming he matched the suspect, officers arrested him.

According to prosecutors, officers discovered the stolen currency in Lanier’s possession during a search following his arrest.

The District Attorney’s Office said Lanier, originally from Miami, Florida, had several prior burglary convictions.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith released the following statement:

“The Houston County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Warner Robins Police Department for their collaborative efforts in bringing this career criminal to justice. The Office would especially like to highlight the efforts of Officer Max Hess, Officer Adrian Orr, and Officer Johnathan Morell. Our citizens should feel free to operate in our community without having to worry about criminals terrorizing their homes and stealing their property. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the community from career thieves.”

“Every person in Houston County deserves to feel secure in their own home. Few crimes violate that sense of security quite like a residential burglary. Fortunately, the victim in this case was away from home when Mr. Lanier broke in, because an encounter between a homeowner and an intruder can quickly turn a property crime into a violent Confrontation. What is particularly troubling here is that this defendant has an established history of committing the very same crime, having already accumulated multiple burglary convictions in Florida. At some point, our criminal justice system must recognize that repeated opportunities to change one’s behavior have been squandered, and that protecting the public requires a substantial prison sentence. I am especially grateful to the vigilant neighbors who recognized suspicious activity and contacted law enforcement, as well as the Warner Robins Police Department officers whose quick response resulted in this defendant’s apprehension and the recovery of the victim’s property.”