SUPERIOR COURT
An 18-year old Jones County man received a sentence of 25 years to serve following a plea of guilty to the charge of rape.
Dakota Thomas Ryan Howe entered his plea in Jones County Superior Court Feb. 15. He received a life sentence for the offense of rape with the first 25 years served in confinement. The remainder of the sentence is to be served on probation, and the defendant is to receive credit for time served from May 19, 2023.
A report of Howe’s arrest by Jones County Sheriff Office Deputy Steven Astyk stated he was dispatched to a home containing nine foster children May 18, 2023, in reference to a rape.
The deputy said the complainant informed him that it was his belief that one of the foster kids, later identified as Howe, forced himself on one of the other foster children.
Astyk said the victim was described as a high functioning autistic female. He was told the female was alone in the room that night because her roommate, who is also her sister, had a medical procedure earlier in the day.
The deputy said he spoke with the victim, and she was able to tell him how the rape happened. The victim made it clear that the entire incident was unwanted and without her consent.
Astyk said he and JCSO Sgt. Kasey Carr questioned Howe, who denied anything had happened. The suspect told the officers he did not leave his room during the night. The deputy said, however, a camera in the hallway showed Howe entering and leaving the victim’s room during the timeframe the incident was alleged.
Astyk said the victim was taken to Macon for sexual assault testing and evidence collection, and Howe was removed from the home.
In a follow-up report, Corp. Thomas Sullivan was dispatched to a residence on McKay Road May 19, 2023, to serve the arrest warrant on Howe and took him in custody without incident.
