The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department Jan. 29 – Feb. 2, 2026
Jan. 29
Possible arson
Dep. Dennis was enroute to a brush fire reported at a local residence. While on the way to the scene, Dennis was canceled by the fire department. A short time later, fire personnel on scene requested that Dennis respond back to the scene. When the deputy arrived, he made contact with fire personnel and was told the fire seemed suspicious and the complainant requested further investigation.
After speaking with fire personnel, Dennis made contact with the female complainant. The complainant advised the deputy that she was contacted by someone on her doorbell camera advising there was a fire in her bushes, and she would call 911 for the complainant due to her not being at the residence at that time. The complainant stated she then called her son to go to the residence with a fire extinguisher and that she suspected that the fire was set by her soon to be ex-husband.
The female complainant also stated that her soon to be ex was a former fireman in the past and he has told her, in the past, that because he had fire experience, he would be able to get away with burning the house down. Dennis then spoke to the complainant’s son, and he stated that when he arrived, he found pine straw under the front bushes on fire and put the fire out, then a short time later the fire department arrived on scene. Dennis recorded the incident on his in-car and body worn camera systems. The scene was photographed, and the photos will be sent to the IT dept. Dennis also notified Lt. Gleaton about the incident. Nothing further at this time.
Feb. 1
Wanted man
Officer Josey initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a GA tag for a possible wanted person.
Josey made contact with the male driver and identified him as the registered owner of the vehicle.
Josey then had the male driver exit the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. The officer then advised Dispatch to send a hit to Clinch County in reference to the warrant.
Clinch County advised they wanted to place a hold on the male subject at that time. Josey transported the male driver to the Jones County LEC and upon arrival was turned over to booking for a Clinch County hold.
Feb. 2
Window tint violation
Dep. Morgan was on patrol when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a window tint violation.
When Morgan made contact with the male driver, the subject advised that he did not have his license on him but gave the deputy his name and date of birth. Morgan then returned to his patrol car and ran the male’s information. The check came back to show that the male driver was wanted out of Twiggs County. Morgan had dispatch confirm the warrant and Twiggs County wished to place a hold on the male subject. The deputy advised the male subject that he was being placed under arrest for a valid warrant. Morgan transported the male driver to the Jones County Jail and issued citations for window tint and no license on person.
Suspicious person
Dep. Braziel assisted the GA State Patrol in reference to a suspicious person. GSP advised that he was driving when he observed the suspect with his hand on his head, then turned his patrol unit around to make contact with the male subject and speak to him. During the conversation, the male randomly gave an address and stated there was “AI generated porn.” The GSP officer also stated that the male subject also made a comment involving himself and children. Due to the nature of the statement, GSP contacted Jones County for assistance. Braziel then proceeded to contact Lt. Gleaton and advised him of the situation. After being instructed by Lt. Gleaton, Braziel placed the male subject under arrest and placed a hold on him for probation.
K-9 deployed to search vehicle
Dep. Brown was patrolling the area of GA. Hwy. 57 when he observed a vehicle traveling 72 MPH in a 55MPH speed zone. Brown activated his emergency lights and turned around to catch up to the vehicle. Brown made contact with the vehicle and approached it from the driver’s side.
The deputy advised the driver the reason for the stop. The driver was acting very suspicious, so Brown called for another unit to assist. The male driver was stalling the deputy about giving his driver’s license. The male then gave his license to the deputy and stated he knew it was suspended due to child support. The backup unit arrived on scene and Brown proceeded to ask the male subject if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and he stated “no.” The deputy asked the male if he could search the vehicle to make sure and the male told him no that was not his vehicle, and he could not search it. Brown then advised the male to turn off the vehicle and step out and he would have his K-9 go around the vehicle. The driver then told the deputy that he could not do that.
Brown explained to the male that a K-9 sniff is not a search, but if she alerts then he would be searching the vehicle.
Brown then had the male driver stand in front of his patrol car with the other deputy. Brown then got K-9 Nesa out and walked her up the passenger side of the vehicle. Nesa began her sniff in a counterclockwise pattern and as they got to the driver side front fender, Nesa gave an alert. The K-9 then sniffed the seam of the driver side front door and gave a final indication. At that time, the vehicle was searched. In the console was a small bottle of alcohol that had only a little bit left in it. In the rear passenger floorboard was a small backpack containing drug related tools. The male was then placed in handcuffs and taken to the Jones County LEC where he was arrested and charged with speeding in excess of maximum speed limit, suspended driver’s license and open container of alcohol in motor vehicle and turned over to jail staff.
Wanted female located
Officer Joiner, Officer Holloway and Sgt. Hathaway assisted Jones County Deputy Patterson with serving an arrest warrant. Dep. Patterson had received word that the wanted female subject had an outstanding warrant out of Bibb County and was currently staying at a local location.
Once all units arrived on scene, one of the business’s employees verified the female has been staying there and she was actually there at that time.
The units knocked on the door where the female subject was said to be, and she answered the door. Immediately, Officer Joiner placed the female in handcuffs. Officer Joiner allowed the female to get her glasses and then secured the room. Deputy Patterson placed the female in his patrol vehicle and transported her to the Jones County LEC.
