Man pleads guilty to family-violence battery; judge orders 24-week intervention program

Keith Gatewood pleaded guilty May 20 in State Court of Clayton County to family-violence battery after the state said he struck the victim, identified in court as Raven Navarro, with a 1-by-4 wooden board.

Judge Tammy Long Hayward accepted a negotiated plea to count 1 and sentenced Gatewood to 12 months with 23 days to serve credited to time served; the balance was probated with a requirement to enroll and complete a family violence intervention program, and to pay a fine of $300 (surcharges raised the total). Counts 2, 3 and 4 merged into count 1, the court said.

The prosecutor told the court officers responded in April 2025 to a report at 2125 Mount Zion Parkway, where they learned Gatewood had struck Navarro in the back of the right arm, causing visible bruising. The prosecutor said the victim’s name and spelling in the report were Raven Navarro.

Gatewood told the court the offense began after an altercation with the victim; he apologized and said she had struck him first. The judge admonished both parties and urged counseling if they intended to marry: "If y'all really do intend to get married, y'all need to have some counseling," she said, calling the conduct unacceptable.

The court described the family-violence intervention program as a 24-week course that addresses communication and domestic-violence prevention; the judge warned Gatewood that missing classes could result in having to start the program over. The sentence includes restrictions on violent or harassing contact with the victim and standard probation reporting requirements.

The prosecutor asked for credited jail time and the negotiated sentence; defense counsel Mr. Lynch confirmed Gatewood's desire to accept the recommendation.