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Name:
Long, Stephen Clark
Date of Booking:
02/12/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
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 Thursday, February 12, 2026 at approximately 1336, deputies were dispatched to a physical domestic in progress at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Shady Grove Road. A felony arrest was made at conclusion of this incident.
While deputies were en route to the call, dispatch informed us the female [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been strangled by [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (Stephen Long) and was still on scene at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Chase Lane. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] disconnected after giving dispatch the information.
Upon arrival, I approached [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and other deputies at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Shady Grove Road and asked where Stephen was. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Chase Lane. I observed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to have redness under her chin and wrapped around her neck. I could visibly see indentions of fingers on the left side of her neck.
I relocated to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Chase Lane and observed Stephen exit his vehicle. I asked him what happened and he said they argued but he did not touch her. I asked what happened in detail and he said he came [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to gather his belongings and leave [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. While he was packing bags, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began throwing clothing in the front yard. They began to verbally argue. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] demanded for Stephen to take her to her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Shady Grove Road. Once they arrived at the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] house, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] refused to exit until she knew her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was home. Stephen was trying to get her to exit. Finally, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] took the car keys and threw them oustide the car. As she exited, he grabbed her by her belt and pulled her back. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] went inside and walked into the bathroom. When she exited, Stephen said he saw red marks on her neck. He stated again he did not touch her.
I spoke with D/S Frey, who was with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and asked what [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said happened. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told Frey that Stephen came [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and began packing. They began to argue and because she felt safe at her [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She asked Stephen to take her there. When they arrived at her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] she rfused to exit the vehicle until she knew her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was home. She asked Stephen to call her and he refused. He tried to force her out of the vehicle but instead she took the car keys and threw them in the yard. She then exited and started walking to the house. Stephen exited behind her and pulled her by the hair and wrapped his hands around her throat while he was behind her. Stephen then took her to the ground while holding her throat and stayed on top of her until she was able to break free.
In [REDACTED BY AGENCY] statement she said Stephen came [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from court and was mad. They began to argue and she asked him to take her to her [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She needed to get to her “safe place” and refused to get out until she was there. Stephen tried forcing her out of the vehicle and instead she took the keys and ran screaming to her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] for help. Stephen then grabbed her around the neck and threw her to the ground.
While the original and written statement were slightly altered by [REDACTED BY AGENCY], it should be noted that deputies responded to a domestic violence call between [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Stephen. Reference case number 20260204708. Also, I observed finger impressions to and redness to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] throat that is consistent with someone being grabbed and choked from behind. Stephen uttered in the previous case and today’s incident before being asked that he did not touch her. The statements made were without the specific question asked.
With the totality of everything mentioned above and the utterance from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] of being in immediate fear from the incident, Stephen was placed under arrest. Handcuffs were placed behind the back, checked for proper fit, and double locked. Frey retrieved the written statement from Cpl. Langston transported Stephen to the jail without incident.
Once Stephen was turned over to jail staff, all deputies returned to service.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
7/6/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO SET BOND
What this means: On July 6, 2026, attorney Jeanne C. Tiger of the Mountain Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office filed a motion in Banks County Superior Court asking the court to set a bond that Stephen Clark Long could actually afford — either release on recognizance (no money required, just a promise to appear) or a substantially reduced bond amount. The motion argued that Long had been held in jail pending charges in Habersham County, that he is indigent and has no property or family resources to post a standard bond, and that keeping him jailed solely because of his financial situation while others facing similar charges can bond out raises equal protection concerns under both the U.S. and Georgia constitutions. The motion was filed under Case No. 260155.
7/7/26
JUDGE SCHEDULES BOND HEARING FOR JULY 16, 2026
What this means: On July 6, 2026, a Rule Nisi — a court order directing that a matter be heard — was issued and filed in Banks County Superior Court on July 7, 2026, scheduling Stephen Clark Long’s motion to set bond for a hearing at the Banks County Courthouse on July 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The order was signed by Judge B. Nichole Carswell on behalf of Chief Judge William R. Oliver of the Mountain Judicial Circuit. A Rule Nisi is simply the court’s way of putting the hearing on the calendar and notifying all parties that the matter will be addressed on that date.
7/8/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 1 COUNT FILED AGAINST STEPHEN CLARK LONG
What this means: On July 8, 2026, a Banks County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Stephen Clark Long, formally charging him with one count of aggravated assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21. An indictment is a formal written accusation issued by a grand jury — a group of citizens who review evidence presented by prosecutors and decide whether there is probable cause to believe a defendant committed a crime. The indictment was filed in Banks County Superior Court the same day under Docket No. 26CR429.
Count 1 — Aggravated Assault: The grand jury accused Stephen Clark Long of allegedly making an assault upon the person of a victim on or about February 12, 2026, in Banks County, Georgia. Specifically, Long is accused of allegedly using his hands in a manner likely to result in strangulation — wrapping his hands around the victim’s throat while holding her behind him, and taking her to the ground while holding her throat. This type of assault is classified as aggravated because the manner used was likely to cause serious bodily injury.
7/16/26
BOND SET AT $25,000 FOLLOWING BOND HEARING
What this means: Following the July 16, 2026 bond hearing, a Banks County Superior Court judge issued a bond order setting Stephen Clark Long’s bond at $25,000 cash or property. The order was filed in Banks County Superior Court the same day. In addition to posting bond, Long was required to comply with the following conditions upon release:
— Must not violate any local, state, or federal laws. — Must submit to a Fourth Amendment waiver regarding search and seizure. — Must not possess firearms or ammunition. — Must have no contact with any victim or witness in the case. — Must not possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs. — Must enroll in and complete anger management classes within six months. — Must wear a GPS ankle monitor at his own expense, with daily reports to the district attorney’s office. — Must reside at a certain location.
The order was signed by a Superior Court Judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
7/27/26
DEFENSE FILES CONSOLIDATED PRETRIAL MOTIONS
What this means: On July 27, 2026, attorney Jeanne C. Tiger of the Mountain Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office filed a package of consolidated pretrial motions on behalf of Stephen Clark Long in Banks County Superior Court under Case No. 26CR429. These motions are standard defense tools used to shape what evidence and procedures will be allowed before and during trial. The filing included the following motions and demands:
— Notice of Election to Proceed under O.C.G.A. §§17-16-1-10 (Georgia’s reciprocal discovery statute) — Long is choosing to follow Georgia’s rules for sharing evidence between the defense and prosecution.
— Preliminary Motion to Suppress Defendant’s Statements — Asking the court to block any statements Long allegedly made from being used as evidence if they were obtained improperly.
— Motion to Suppress Evidence — Asking the court to exclude certain evidence from trial if it was obtained illegally or improperly.
— Motion for Discovery Pursuant to Brady — Requiring the prosecution to turn over any evidence that could help prove Long’s innocence or reduce his guilt.
— Motion for Discovery of Police Reports — Asking the prosecution to provide copies of all police reports related to the case.
— Motion for Pretrial Disclosure of Evidence of Independent and Separate Offenses, Wrongs, or Acts — Asking the court to require the prosecution to give advance notice if they plan to introduce evidence of other alleged bad acts by Long.
— Motion for Notice of Aggravating Circumstances and Evidence — Asking the prosecution to disclose in advance any evidence they plan to use to argue for a harsher sentence.
— Motion to Reveal Any Agreement — Requiring the prosecution to disclose any deals made with witnesses.
— Motion to Preserve the Evidence — Asking the court to order that all physical evidence be preserved and protected.
— Motion for Complete Recordation — Requesting that all court proceedings be recorded.
— Motion Reserving the Right to File Additional Motions — Preserving Long’s ability to file more motions later if needed.
The court has not yet ruled on these motions.
8/3/26
STEPHEN CLARK LONG WAIVES FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT, PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: On August 3, 2026, Stephen Clark Long, through his attorney Jeanne C. Tiger of the Mountain Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office, filed a Waiver of Arraignment and Plea of Not Guilty in Banks County Superior Court under Case No. 26CR429. By signing this document, Long gave up his right to appear in open court for a formal arraignment — the hearing where charges are read aloud and a defendant enters a plea — and instead entered a not guilty plea through the written filing. This is a common and routine step in Georgia felony cases. A not guilty plea means the case will proceed toward trial unless a resolution is reached beforehand. Long remains presumed innocent.
8/4/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 4, 2026
What this means: An arraignment was scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Banks County Superior Court for Stephen Clark Long under Case No. 26CR429. At an arraignment, the defendant appears before a judge, the charges are read aloud, and the defendant enters a formal plea. However, Long had already waived his right to a formal arraignment and entered a not guilty plea in writing on August 3, 2026, so this scheduled appearance may have been canceled or handled as a brief procedural matter.
10/5/26
CALENDAR CALL IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 5, 2026
What this means: A calendar call is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Banks County Superior Court for Stephen Clark Long under Case No. 26CR429. A calendar call is a brief court appearance where the judge checks on the status of the case, confirms that both sides are ready to proceed, addresses any outstanding motions or scheduling issues, and sets dates for the next steps — typically a trial date or further pretrial conferences. It is a routine administrative hearing.