A U.S. Air Force airman believed to be assigned to Dyess Air Force Base was arrested on an assault charge in late December, weeks after resolving a separate drunken-driving case through a court-ordered probation program, according to public records reviewed by The Salty Soldier.
The airman, Zeb Lee Howze V, was arrested by the Abilene Police Department on December 28, 2025, on a charge of assault causing bodily injury involving a family or household member. Jail records show he was booked and released the same day after posting a $3,500 bond. A search of court records shows that charges have not yet been filed in the assault case.
The arrest followed a separate incident earlier this year in which Howze was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. In that case, prosecutors alleged his blood alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher, almost twice the legal limit. The case was later resolved through deferred adjudication, a form of probation that allows defendants to avoid a formal conviction if they comply with court-ordered conditions.
As part of that agreement, Howze was required to complete community service, attend alcohol education, comply with an ignition interlock requirement, and pay fines and fees. Public records indicate the probationary period remained active at the time of his December arrest.
Deferred adjudication does not count as a conviction, but under Texas law, new criminal charges during the supervision period can place a defendant at risk of losing that status and facing additional penalties, depending on how the case proceeds.
Howze is believed to be a Security Forces airman, a career field responsible for base law enforcement and security operations. The Salty Soldier contacted Dyess Air Force Base and the 7th Bomb Wing to ask whether the command is aware of the arrests and whether any administrative action has been taken.
No response had been received at the time of publication.
This article will be updated if additional information or an official statement is provided. As with all criminal cases, defendants are presumed innocent of new charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written consent is strictly prohibited.
