The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department April 14 - May 7, 2022.
April 14
Lt. Hunnicutt was on patrol when he received a be on the lookout for a vehicle that was running off the road. Hunnicutt eventually caught up to the offender and conducted a traffic stop. As soon as he made contact with the driver, an overwhelming odor of alcohol came from inside the vehicle and on the driver’s breath. With the vehicle being in a parked position, the driver struggled to turn the ignition off and fumbled with the keys. The driver appeared to be very confused and dazed with bloodshot and watery eyes. Hunnicutt asked the driver how much he had to drink, and he replied five beers. Hunnicutt had to assist the driver getting out of the vehicle and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he was having trouble standing. The lieutenant placed the driver at the back of the vehicle and the offender had trouble following very simple instructions. At that time, Hunnicutt was going to do a Field Sobriety Test however due to the driver’s extreme intoxication the lieutenant did not feel it was safe for the driver to perform. The driver was handcuffed and read Implied Consent for suspects over the age of 21. The driver agreed to the blood test. There was also an empty bottle of Rico Bays white Rum 750ml in the vehicle. The driver was transported to a local physician’s office where a legal blood draw was performed and sent to the GBI Crime Lab for testing. After the blood test, the offender was transported to the Jones County LEC where he was charged with DUI, DUI less safe, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to maintain lane, open container, and driving in a median then turned over to jail staff for booking.
April 28
Officer Josey was patrolling the area of Gray Hwy. when he observed a vehicle with a test drive tag on it. At this time, Josey activated his blue lights and conducted a traffic stop. When Josey made contact with the driver, he observed the odor of green marijuana coming from the car. The offender advised the officer that he had just dropped his father off and was on the way back to Macon to speak to someone at the car lot regarding the vehicle he was driving. The offender advised he was thinking about buying the vehicle. Josey had the driver step out of the vehicle and called for Lt. Pennamon to assist with a vehicle search due to the marijuana odor. The offender advised Josey the marijuana smell came from his father and there was also marijuana in the vehicle along with a 9mm pistol under the driver’s seat. The pistol was located and checked through GCIC and checked out fine. Josey then ran the VIN number from the vehicle, and it showed it was in the driver’s name however there was no valid registration and no insurance. Dispatch notified the next wrecker to tow the vehicle and the driver was transported to the Jones County LEC. The driver was issued citations for affixing tag to misrepresent, registration required, no insurance and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. The offender signed the court copies of the citations and was released.
May 5
Lt. Hunnicutt was stopped at a red light at the intersection of GA 44 and the Crossing and noticed a driver passing by that was holding a cell phone in his right hand. At this time, Hunnicutt activated his blue lights and conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the driver, the lieutenant could smell the odor of green marijuana coming from inside the truck. The driver advised that he knew he was not supposed to be on the phone, however he was arguing with his insurance company. Hunnicutt asked the driver to exit the vehicle due to the odor. The driver advised the lieutenant that he did not have any marijuana in his truck, but he does let people ride in his truck that do smoke marijuana. The driver advised Hunnicutt he could search the vehicle. Hunnicutt then made contact with the passenger in the truck, and he handed the lieutenant a clear vacuum sealed bag that contained a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Hunnicutt searched the truck and noticed a gear shifter head that looked like a revolver cylinder common for hiding drugs. The top comes off the gear shift cover and has a hidden compartment inside and Hunnicutt found heavy marijuana residue. The driver was issued a citation for unlawful use of a wireless device and the passenger was issued a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce. Both occupants were released on the citations.
May 7
Lt. Hunnicutt was on patrol in the area of Gray Hwy. when he observed a vehicle cross the fog line and drove into the median then jerk the car back in the proper lane. When Hunnicutt got behind the vehicle, he could smell a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. The lieutenant activated his blue lights and conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the driver, Hunnicutt could smell the odor of alcohol and an overwhelming smell of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver advised the lieutenant that there was no marijuana in the car, that he had smoked some about ten minutes prior to the stop. When the driver exited the vehicle, there was an open and very cold Mikes Hard Lemonade Cranberry beer. There was also a green leafy substance in the handle compartment of the driver’s side door. Speaking to the driver the lieutenant could smell the odor of alcohol and marijuana coming from his person. At that time, Hunnicutt searched the car and found a glass smoking pipe in the console and the pipe was very warm to the touch. Hunnicutt also found four pouches that contained a green leafy substance that has “this product contains cannabis, an illegal substance” written on the package. The lieutenant also found an open bottle of Crown Royal Apple in the back seat. As the search continued, Hunnicutt found a metal box with a mirror on the side and on the mirror was a residue of a white powder. The driver was asked about the white powered substance and advised the lieutenant he used either methamphetamine or cocaine a few days prior at a bar. The driver was not sure which he used. At this time, the driver was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and transported to the Jones County LEC by Lt. Lovick. The driver was charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce, open container violation, failure to maintain lane and possession of alcohol by a minor, then released on his citations.
Deputy Kile was conducting traffic enforcement on Hwy. 49 when his department issued License Plate Reader alerted him to a vehicle with a GA tag that had a suspended registration. Kile conducted a traffic stop. When the deputy made contact with the driver, the driver handed Kile a GA ID Card when he asked for her license. Kile conducted a check of the driver’s license, and it came back showing her license had been suspended for Failure to Appear. Kile placed the driver under arrest and the vehicle was turned over to a local wrecker service for towing. The offender was transported to the Jones County LEC for processing.
