Joseph Cannella

Name:
Cannella, Joseph R

Date of Booking:
11/26/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Disorderly Conduct

Simple Assault-Family Violence

Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor

Passenger Interfering With Drivers View or Control

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on November 26, 2025]

On 11/26/2025 at approximately 1624 Hours, I Ofc. Dutcher, J #141 was dispatched to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Winder, GA. 30680 in reference to a non-physical Domestic Dispute. I traveled code 1 in my marked patrol vehicle #402.

Upon my arrival, I met with [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who stated that she and her husband, Mr. Joseph Cannella, were coming back from a vacation in Florida and that they were arguing for practically the entire trip there and back. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then stated that today, when she was driving them, Joseph became very irate and began yelling at her and making suicidal threats. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then stated that while she was driving, Joseph was yelling and reached from the passenger side of the vehicle towards the driver’s side, grabbed the steering wheel, and pulled it towards him, stating that “she may as well kill both of them”.

After she regained control of the steering wheel, she stated that Joseph was still agitated and began punching the dashboard, and popped a panel of the dashboard out of place. After breaking the dashboard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said that Joseph managed to pop the trim back into place, fixing it and leaving no visible damage. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then stated that when they were approaching [REDACTED BY AGENCY], she called law enforcement to be at the residence upon their arrival, because she was in fear for her safety.

While they were driving, she then called her mother, who was babysitting her two children at the residence, and had them pack up and leave before their arrival. I then asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if Joseph had made many direct threats to her, to which she stated that he had not. I asked if he ever hit her or made any kind of physical contact with her, to which she also told me no.

After arriving at the residence, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stayed in the vehicle while Joseph paced around the yard, continuing to yell and scream. Joseph eventually re-entered the residence moments before my arrival. While i was speaking to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], Joseph opened the door, yelling at me, stating that he was not going to speak with me and told me to leave. I then told him that I needed to talk to him to figure out what happened, and he slammed the door and locked it. At this moment, several other officers arrived and began trying to communicate with Joseph through the window with negative results.

While the officers were attempting to talk Joseph out of the residence, I continued to speak with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and asked if she had a key to the residence and would be okay if we went in to get him. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then provided us with a key. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] also informed us that there were two firearms inside the residence, a shotgun and a handgun, to which Joseph had access to both.

After several more attempts to talk Joseph out of the house with negative results, Cpl. Cureington, Ofc. Gibbs, several County Deputies, and I confirmed that we had valid charges, we made the decision to enter the residence to detain Joseph. With a combination of non-lethal and lethal weapons drawn, several Barrow County Deputies and I informed Joseph that we were going to make entry to the house which Joseph replied that he needed to put his dog up, which is aggressive. While I was using the key to unlock the door, Joseph yelled to us that the door was unlocked. I then opened the door while the deputies instructed Joseph to get on his belly and place his hands on his head, to which he did as instructed. After I verified that Joseph was doing as instructed, I entered the residence and placed Joseph in handcuffs, double locked, and checked for proper fit.

Joseph was then assisted to his feet and escorted to my marked patrol vehicle #402. Joseph was then searched for any weapons, contraband, or means of escape, with negative findings. The back seat of my patrol vehicle was also cleared of any weapons, contraband, or means of escape with negative findings. Joseph was then placed in the rear passenger side seat of my marked patrol vehicle, with the seatbelt being placed over him and buckled in for safety.

I then read Joseph his Miranda rights using the Department-issued Miranda rights card, to which he refused to answer any questions. I then provided Central Dispatch with my starting mileage before proceeding to the Barrow County Detention Center. Upon arrival at BCDC, I relinquished custody of Joseph and his property to Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officers. I then cleared the backseat of patrol vehicle #402 of any weapons, contraband, or means of escape with negative findings.

Due to the call notes stating that Joseph was threatening [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the vehicle, I contacted Barrow County Central Dispatch and asked to listen to the call from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to Central Dispatch, to which they agreed. During the phone call, I could not hear any direct threats being made; however, I could hear Joseph yelling and being very agitated in the background, as well as yelling at the call taker. During the call, I also heard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] inform the call taker that she is “scared of Joseph and scared he won’t let her go”.

Due to Joseph placing [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in reasonable fear of receiving substantial harm and Joseph and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] being married, I procured a warrant for Joseph for Simple Assault Family Violence.

-(2025-3914MW)

Due to Joseph grabbing the steering wheel while [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was driving, I procured a warrant for Joseph for Passenger interference with the driver’s view or control.

-(2025-3913MW)

Due to Joseph’s erratic and disruptive behavior and actions while in the vehicle, I procured a warrant for Joseph for Disorderly Conduct.

-(2025-3912MW)

Due to Joseph barricading himself in the house and refusing to comply and hindering law enforcement’s lawful investigation, I procured a warrant for Joseph for Obstruction.

-(2025-3912MW)

See Ofc. Gibbs #136 supplemental report for more information.

I went back into service with no further incident.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on November 26, 2025]

On November 26, 2025 at approximately 1624 hours, I, Officer Gibbs, was dispatched to a domestic disturbance located at [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Winder, GA 30680. I traveled CODE 1 in marked patrol vehicle 385 to the above location.

Upon arrival, Officer Dutcher was speaking to the caller. Officer Dutcher advised that the male subject, Mr. Joseph Cannella, was still in the residence. Officer Dutcher and I approached the residence. I knocked on the front door. I could hear movement inside the residence. Joseph then came to the door and stated he did not want to speak with law enforcement. Joseph stated he wanted law enforcement to leave his property.

I then asked Joseph several times to come outside and speak to us. Joseph advised that he would not come out and speak to us. Corporal Cureington then approached the residence and attempted to have Joseph come outside. Joseph told Corporal Cureington that he was in a verbal argument with his wife. Joseph stated that the argument had started while they were on vacation. Joseph told Corporal Cureington that he would not come outside and speak with us, and we needed to stay out of his business.

I then stood by and observed Joseph’s movements through the front window. Joseph continued to pace around the house. Joseph was visibly upset and continued to demand to stay in his residence.

Corporal Cureington then instructed that I relocate to the rear corner of the residence. I stood at the rear to make sure Joseph did not leave out the back door. I advised Corporal Cureington that I could hear Joseph at the back door talking to the dog.

A Barrow County Deputy then observed Joseph back inside the residence. Barrow County Deputies and Winder Units then gave verbal commands to Joseph to come out of the house. After Joseph was apprehended, I then assisted Officer Dutcher in placing Joseph in the back of Officer Dutcher’s marked patrol vehicle.

I then went to speak to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] explained that she and Joseph had gotten into an argument while on a cruise. She stated that while on the way home, the arguing continued. She advised that Joseph was very irate and began punching the interior of the vehicle. She explained that Joseph made suicidal threats and attempted to jump out of the passenger window several times while she was driving. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] explained that she was scared, so she called her mother and asked her to take the children to her house. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] explained she did not want the children to witness Joseph’s behavior. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] explained that she began driving more slowly as she got closer to home. She advised that she was attempting to give her mother more time to get the children out of the house. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] explained that this made Joseph very upset, and he then grabbed the steering wheel, attempting to control the vehicle. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] advised that she believed Joseph wanted her to accelerate, but she continued to drive slowly.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] then explained that as she turned onto [REDACTED BY AGENCY], she observed her mother’s vehicle driving away. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that this is when Joseph jumped out of the vehicle and began chasing after her mother’s vehicle. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] advised that Joseph was unable to catch up with the vehicle.

I then asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if she would like to fill out a written statement, but she declined. I then provided her with a case card with the case number on it and explained when the report would be ready. I then provided [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with a list of local victim resources that she may use if needed.

See Officer Dutcher’s case report for further.

[End of Narrative]