Macon, Georgia—August 31, 2023—On August 29, 2023, Robert Ottman, 20, pled guilty in Bibb Superior Court to a series of serious charges that took place when he was only 15, 16, and 17 years of age. On April 2, 2021, Ottman, then 17, shot and killed his brother in their home as the result of a family argument. Taking into consideration the wishes of the family, Ottman was allowed to enter his Guilty plea to the lesser included offense of Voluntary Manslaughter and one count of Aggravated Assault. On September 15, 2019, Ottman, then 16, and several co-defendants robbed the Dollar Tree on Eisenhower Parkway and when the manager attempted to stop them, a gun was displayed to him by one of the co-defendants. The robbers’ car was later located by Bibb Sheriffs Deputies. When law enforcement tried to stop the vehicle a high speed chase ensued culminating in a crash from which two individuals were arrested at the scene and the other two, who ran, were apprehended at a later time. On January 26, 2019, Ottman, then 15, and another individual entered the Wendy’s on Harrison Road and confronted patrons with the threat of being shot if they did not turn over money, AirPods, and cell phones. Upon his pleas of Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and three counts of Robbery by Force, Ottman received a total sentence of 40 years, with the first 20 years to be served in the penitentiary.
“These violent circumstances involving our youth are exactly what our R.I.S.E. (Restoring Inspiration by Success in Education) Initiative is aimed at preventing before they ever get started. One life was taken and multiple others were placed at risk because of this young man’s actions. These tragic occurrences must stop in our communities. My heart goes out to this family who lost one son to death and another to prison for a long time.” DA Anita Howard
The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office especially thanks the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for their dedicated assistance in the investigation and prosecution of these cases. We also commend the actions of the involved businesses and their patrons for their willingness to cooperate with law enforcement in helping to solve these crimes.
