The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department May 21-26, 2026
May 23
Stranger on property
Dep. Coley was dispatched to a local residence in reference to entering an auto. When the deputy arrived, she met with the complainant. The complainant stated that the vehicles were left unlocked the night before and home video camera footage shows a male subject wearing jeans coming onto the property then leaving.
The complainant also stated there was no damage done to the vehicles or property, however there was a bag of mail on one of the vehicles with possible bank statements and unused gift cards. Approximately $300 in gift cards. Coley watched the home video footage and saw the male subject. The deputy observed the male to have tattoos on his stomach and body wearing jeans. The subject was seen walking around and then leaving the property. There was no camera on the vehicles, so the deputy did not observe the male entering the autos. Coley did notice the vehicle looked to be rummaged in but not damaged. The deputy advised the complainant to send to video footage to her email and turn it over to the investigations department. Coley requested additional patrol for the area.
Warrants from two counties
Dep. Dominguez was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of Hwy. 22 and Bowen Hill Rd. when he conducted a registration check on a vehicle through the GCIC system. The check came back to show the registered owner had active warrants. Dominguez activated his emergency blue lights and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. While approaching the driver’s side window of the vehicle, the deputy immediately smelled the odor of raw marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.
Dominguez requested the male’s driver’s license. The male driver admitted to the deputy to be in possession of marijuana.
Dominguez called in the driver’s information to dispatch, and they confirmed that the male driver was the registered owner of the vehicle and that he had active warrants out of two counties. Dispatch advised the deputy that Baldwin County advised they wanted the male subject. At that time, Dominguez had the male driver exit the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. The deputy advised the male he was being detained due to the active warrant in Baldwin County. The male was placed inside Dominguez’s patrol vehicle and read his Miranda Rights.
The deputy asked the male driver again if there was marijuana in the vehicle and the male confirmed there was. The male subject told the deputy the marijuana was inside the glove box and the amount was less than one ounce.
Dominguez advised the male that he was searching the vehicle. The deputy requested backup and Dep.
Pruitt arrived on scene to assist.
Dominguez began the vehicle search and found a plastic baggie inside the glove box with suspected marijuana. While searching the center console area, the deputy located a cola can. Upon handling the can, the deputy noticed there was no liquid inside, leading him to believe the can was a concealment container. The deputy unscrewed the top of the can and discovered a hidden compartment containing additional loose marijuana.
Dominguez advised the male driver that he would be transported to the Jones County and Baldwin County line where he would be turned over to Baldwin County deputies on the active warrant.
The deputy also advised the male subject he would be issuing him a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
May 26
Probable cause search
Dep. Dominguez was conducting routine traffic enforcement when he observed a vehicle that appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed in rainy and cloudy weather conditions. Dominguez pulled out behind the vehicle and conducted a registration check on the license plate. The check came back to show no insurance on the vehicle. The vehicle then made a left hand turn without using a turn signal. At that time, the deputy activated his emergency blue lights and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle did not immediately stop, so Dominguez activated his siren multiple times and the vehicle still continued moving at a slow roll before coming to a stop. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the deputy approached the driver’s side window to make contact with the driver. Immediately upon making contact with the female driver, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Dominguez advised the female driver the reason for the stop was that she appeared to be speeding, no insurance, and she failed to use a turn signal. The deputy also advised the female driver he could smell marijuana.
Dominguez requested the female’s driver’s license, and due to the odor of marijuana he would be requesting a backup unit. Dep.
Steib arrived on scene to assist, and the female was asked to exit the vehicle while Dominguez conducted a search of the vehicle.
During the search, the deputy located a small amount of raw marijuana inside a clear plastic baggie in the center console. The deputy also found an empty can of an alcoholic beverage with a straw in it on the passenger side floor board, an empty small bottle of tequila on the front passenger seat and two additional empty glass bottles of tequila in the rear seat area. The female was not placed under arrest; however, she was issued citations for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and open container of alcohol.
Dominguez explained her court date and citation information and she was released from the scene.
