On July 3, 2026, deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jeremy Lewis. Lewis refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit along Highway 10-A.
During the pursuit, an HCSO deputy executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, causing the vehicle to spin out and come to a stop.
Following the stop, a passenger, identified as Tavares Godwin, fled the scene on foot. Godwin was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants out of Holmes County. K-9 teams from the Walton County and Washington County Correctional Institution responded to assist with the search.
A second passenger in the vehicle, identified as Nikki Powell, was also taken into custody after deputies discovered she had outstanding warrants from Holmes County.
The K-9 track led deputies to a residence on Highway 10-A. The homeowner, Jackie Powell, advised deputies that Godwin was not inside the residence and consented to deputies searching the home.
During the search, deputies located Godwin hiding inside an air conditioning return vent within the wall of the residence.
While searching for Godwin, deputies also observed suspected methamphetamine in plain view. Investigators secured the residence and obtained a search warrant to conduct a more thorough search.
The search warrant was executed, and investigators located methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm inside the residence.
At this time, the following charges have been filed:
* Jeremy Lewis – Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement.
* Tavares Godwin – Outstanding Holmes County warrants and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
* Nikki Powell – Outstanding Holmes County warrants.
* Jackie Powell – accessory after the fact, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
* Sonya Massey – accessory after the fact
Sheriff John Tate commends the outstanding teamwork displayed by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County and the Washington County Correctional Institution K-9 teams.
