Valdosta Man Arrested After Assaulting Woman and Threatening Officer
On September 25, 2025, Valdosta Police officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 1800 block of North Ashley Street, after a caller reported a male and female fighting in a parking lot. The caller also noted that the female appeared to be lying on the ground.
Upon arrival, an officer observed the female with visible injuries. While rendering aid, 42-year-old Kevin Demetrius Ponder charged at the victim, prompting the officer to intervene. During the confrontation, Ponder attempted to grab the officer’s firearm and threatened to shoot her. The officer struck Ponder to prevent him from accessing the weapon.
Additional officers arrived and secured Ponder in handcuffs, though he continued resisting by kicking, spitting, and threatening officers. Ponder was later transported to South Georgia Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained during the struggle, then booked into the Lowndes County Jail.
Investigation revealed that Ponder had forced the victim into a motel room during the altercation, continuing to hit and attempt to choke her.
Ponder faces multiple charges, including:
- Aggravated assault by strangulation (felony)
- Kidnapping (felony)
- Attempting to remove a weapon from a public official (felony)
- Three counts of obstruction of a law enforcement officer (felony)
- Two counts of terroristic threats (felony)
- Battery (misdemeanor)
- Terroristic threats (misdemeanor)
The officer sustained a hand injury but was treated and released from South Georgia Medical Center.
Chief Leslie Manahan praised the officer’s actions, stating, “Her selfless act of putting herself between the victim and the offender prevented further assault. When the offender turned on her, she took control of the situation and ensured he was safely restrained until additional officers arrived.”
