Warner Robins man sentenced to 30 years, banished from Houston County after guilty plea
Prosecutors said the charges stem from an incident on January 3, 2024.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Warner Robins man has been sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to aggravated assault, drug trafficking and firearm charges stemming from a 2024 shooting, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
21-year-old Jaylon Dontez Smith entered guilty pleas July 9 in Houston County Superior Court to one count of aggravated assault, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Smith was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison. As a condition of his sentence, Smith will also be banished from Houston County upon his release.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Smith was on probation for previous felony drug and firearm offenses when the crimes occurred. His probation was revoked following his guilty plea.
Prosecutors said the charges stem from an incident on January 3, 2024, in the Terrykay Circle area of Warner Robins.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, several people had gathered following a fistfight involving female juveniles earlier that day. Smith, who investigators said was a friend of one of the girls involved, arrived at the scene, displayed a firearm and fired multiple rounds toward the group.
No one was struck by the gunfire.
Investigators said Smith was captured on cellphone video leaving the scene with a firearm before getting into a vehicle. Officers later stopped the vehicle and arrested Smith.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, officers found two firearms and multiple narcotics packaged for sale inside the vehicle.
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 its efforts in bringing this multi-time criminal to justice. The Office would especially like to highlight the efforts of Investigator Robert Broussard for his investigation in this case, along with all members of the patrol division that responded to the scene. All members of our community should feel free to live and gather in their homes and neighborhoods without having to worry about dodging bullets. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the community from those individuals who engage in reckless gun violence.”
District Attorney Eric Z. Ewards released the following statement:
“This case is a stark reminder of how quickly reckless gun violence can turn a neighborhood gathering into a potential tragedy. What began as a dispute stemming from a fistfight escalated because this defendant chose to introduce a firearm and fire multiple rounds into a crowd of people. The only reason this case is being prosecuted as an aggravated assault rather than multiple homicides is because of sheer luck. It is especially troubling that the defendant committed these crimes while already on felony probation for prior offenses involving illegal drugs and firearms. Rather than taking advantage of the opportunity he had been given to change the course of his life, he returned to the same criminal conduct that had already brought him into the justice system. I am grateful for the outstanding work of the Warner Robins Police Department, particularly Detective Robert Broussard and the responding patrol officers, as well as the prosecution of this case by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith. This sentence reflects our office’s unwavering commitment to removing violent repeat offenders from our community and making it unmistakably clear that those who choose to settle disputes with gunfire will face serious consequences.”