The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department Jan 11-13, 2025.
JAN. 11
Lt. Ransom received a BOLO for a vehicle that had turned on the Gray bypass from Highway 18 West. It was reported that the vehicle was failing to maintain its lane and displaying inconsistent speed. Ransom was sitting stationary on the Gray Bypass observing traffic, when he observed the vehicle in question. He began to follow the vehicle. The vehicle was initially traveling 60 mph and then sped up to 74 mph. Ransom observed the vehicle failing to maintain its lane and initiated a traffic stop.
He made contact with the driver and could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle. The driver stated she was coming from a hair appointment. The driver admitted to taking prescription medication, but would not admit to having drank any alcohol. When the driver was asked to exit the vehicle, she turned to her purse and appeared to be trying to put something into it or move things around. Ransom instructed her to exit the vehicle without digging around in the vehicle. Outside of the vehicle, the driver leaned on the car to steady herself. The driver refused to participate in field sobriety testing. She asked if she could have someone come to get her and Ransom told her no.
Based off of her driving, physical manifestation and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person, Ransom placed the driver in handcuffs. Two airplane bottles of Fireball were found in her jacket pocket. While searching the vehicle, Ransom found a tumbler cup in the cup holder.
The contents had been consumed, but the cup smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage. When the purse was searched, a 750 ml bottle of Fireball was found, as well as an empty airplane bottle of Fireball and a pack that contained four unopened airplane bottles of Fireball. The vehicle was towed and the driver was transported to the Jones County LEC. After arrival, testing was performed on the driver with the Intoxilyzer 9000, which registered at 0.229 grams. The driver was issued citations for failure to maintain lane, DUI, and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. She was then turned over to jail staff.
While on New Clinton Road, Deputy Langston observed a vehicle headed towards Shurling Drive. He ran the tag number and was alerted that it was issued to a different vehicle. Langston conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who advised that he purchased the vehicle three or four days before.
His information was ran through NCIC and it showed that the driver had a suspended license.
When asked about insurance, the driver stated that he did not have insurance on the vehicle. Langston placed the driver under arrest and he was transported to the Jones County jail. He was then issued citations for no insurance, suspended license and use of license plate with intent to conceal.
JAN. 13
Sgt. Walker was on patrol on Highway 49 when he saw someone walking towards Bibb County. He offered to give the individual a ride and the man said yes. The man asked Walker to take him to a store down the road. Walker ran his information and discovered that the man was wanted in Jones County. He was arrested and taken to the Jones County LEC.
Deputy Robinson was on patrol in the area of Highway 49 when he received a Flock alert for a vehicle with an expired tag. Robinson ran the tag through GCIC/ NCIC and the information came back to a different vehicle than the one the tag was placed on. The information received showed that the registered owner’s driver’s license was expired. A traffic stop was made and Robinson made contact with the driver and registered owner and two passengers, one being a toddler who was not in a child’s car seat.
The deputy advised the driver that her license was expired. She did not have her license on her person, but had a picture on her phone and stated her license was not expired. Robinson confirmed that her license was expired. While speaking with the driver, the deputy noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle along with an AR pistol next to her right leg near the console. Lt. Carr arrived on scene to assist. The driver was advised of the odor of marijuana and everyone was asked to exit the vehicle. The driver advised that she had marijuana in her pants. She was asked to hand it to the deputy and she complied.
The gun’s serial number was ran through dispatch and advised that the gun had no record. A blue/purple pill with a vehicle’s logo stamped on it was located in a plastic container that was on the passenger side dash. The pill appeared to be ecstasy. The driver was placed under arrest. Lt. Carr escorted the driver to the Jones County LEC. She was charged with expired driver’s license, expired registration, use of license plate with intent to conceal, seat belt – child, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The contraband and gun were placed in evidence.
