Staff Reports
A Warner Robins man with an extensive criminal history has
been sentenced to 25 years in prison and is banished from Houston and
surrounding counties.
Antonio Woodard,37, was
convicted by a Houston County jury of aggravated assault and possession of a
firearm during a crime.
Judge Edward D. Lukemire
sentenced Woodard to 25 years and
ordered him to serve the first eighteen (18) years in prison. Upon his
release from prison, Woodard will have to pay a $1,000.00 fine, will be banned
from possessing firearms, and will be banished from Houston County and all
contiguous counties. Woodard will not be eligible for parole because he is a
convicted felon.
The conviction stems from the crime that happened during
the early morning hours of January 7,
2012, near the American Legion on Moody Road. {{more}}
According to a press release from the District Attorneys
Office, Johnathan Haslem attempted to break up a fight outside of a car that
Woodard was driving. When Haslem leaned over to speak to Woodard, Woodard shot him
in the head with a handgun. Detective Carder Gravitt and members of the Warner
Robins Police Department investigated the incident, and soon identified Woodard
as the shooter. Woodard was subsequently arrested and charged with the above
crimes.
Deputy Chief ADA Dan Bibler said,”This sentence is appropriate given Woodard’s
extensive criminal history and the violent nature of the offense. He came
within inches of committing a murder. Felons who possess and use firearms in a
reckless manner to endanger life will be punished severely.”
Houston
County District Attorney George Hartwig commented on the case and said, “We are
pleased with the outcome of this case. The Warner Robins Police Department did
an excellent job investigating this incident and putting together a good case.
This sentence should cause all would-be violent offenders to think twice before
committing gun crimes in Houston County.”
HHJ News
