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Name:
Ray, Donald Cody
Date of Booking:
04/11/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED BATTERY
SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On April 11, 2026 around 0040 hours, I, Deputy Echols was dispatched to the Scottish Inn, in reference to a fight in progress.
I arrived on scene with Deputy Hill. I observed a white male standing beside a minivan in the parking lot. The male had blood splatter on his face, shirt and arms. I also observed he had blood stains on his knuckles as well. I detained this subject as I was unsure if he was a suspect or a victim and I wanted to make the scene safe in order to investigate. I identified the subject as Donald Cody Ray from Ohio. Deputy Hill got out with another male sitting by the entrance of the motel. The male was bleeding extensively from his face, mouth and right hand.
Ray said that the other man that Deputy Hill was with was [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. He was unable to tell me why the altercation between the two of them started. Ray did not appear to have any injuries. He did mention that they were in the car and coming back from Athens, GA. Ray was intoxicated and had a strong odor commonly associated with alcoholic beverages coming from his breath and person.
Deputy Hill read Ray his Miranda Rights and continued asking him questions. I went and spoke with the potential victim, [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had extensive injuries from the altercation in the car. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] mouth was bleed and his lips were busted open. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said that Ray lost it and started beating on him while they were pulling in the motel parking lot. Ray was closed fist punching him in the face. Ray then bit the finger tip off of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] right hand thumb. I was able to see that the tip of his right thumb was missing and bleeding extensively.
Based on the testimony from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and the injuries he displayed, it was clear that he was attacked by Ray. Motel security footage confirmed what [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was saying. There was blood all over the inside of the vehicle. I placed Ray under arrest for aggravated battery and battery FVA. EMS was called and confirmed that Ray had no injuries. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was transported by EMS to Piedmont Athens Regional for his injuries.
I transported Ray to the Banks County Detention Center for the above charges. The backseat of my patrol vehicle was checked before and after transport, no contraband was located. I took two warrants for the above charges.
[End of Narrative]