Joshua Berry

The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.

Name:
Berry, Joshua Lamar

Date of Booking:
04/27/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Criminal Trespass (Family Violence) – Damage of $500 or less

Cruelty to Children-Intentionally allow child to witness Forcible Felony/Battery/Family Violence Battery

Battery- Family Violence (1st offense) MISD

Cruelty to Children-Intentionally allow child to witness Forcible Felony/Battery/Family Violence Battery

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 April 27, 2026]

On April 27, 2026, at approximately 2124 hours, I responded to [REDACTED] regarding a domestic dispute. I responded to the area “Code 3” (emergency lights and emergency siren) based on the caller saying she was slapped by the suspect, and the suspect had been drinking and was leaving.

I arrived on the scene, and Deputy Hill and Simmons were talking to the victim, [VICTIM #1]. We attempted to locate Joshua Berry’s information and the vehicle he was in.

I stood with [VICTIM #1]. Deputy Hill said that Joshua was on the way to the house. Deputy Hill spoke with Joshua. I went into the house to provide [VICTIM #1] with a Family violence pamphlet. I observed that [VICTIM #1]’s left cheek was red and had a welt showing a finger imprint. I asked her how she was hit, and she placed her fingers over the red area on her hand. Deputy Hill took pictures.

While waiting with Lt Shuman, who was the on-duty supervisor for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office,on scene to collect the agency’s belongings. [VICTIM #1] informed Lt Shuman that a wall had been damaged. I went to speak with [VICTIM #1], who was in the master bedroom upstairs on the right-hand side. [VICTIM #1] stated that the hole in the dry was new. I observed that the wall area next to the door was damaged. I observed the light switch had been punched, breaking the drywall. [VICTIM #1] was not sure of the value but agreed it could be fixed for around 500 dollars. [VICTIM #1] said the damage had not been there, and that the house was new. Pictures of the area were taken and added to this report.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on April 27, 2026]

On 04/27/2026 at approximately 2124 hours, I responded to [REDACTED] in reference to a domestic dispute.

Upon arrival, I made contact with the complainant/victim, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that her husband, Joshua Berry, tried to initiate sex with her that evening, but she was tired and did not want to. She told me Berry got upset and pushed her off the bed. She also told me that she smacked him when he pushed her off the bed. The two got into an argument according to [VICTIM #1] and during the argument, Berry slapped her on the left side of her face. The slap to [VICTIM #1] resulted in visible bruising on the left side of her face.

[VICTIM #1] and Berry have two children. Both of the children were in the room and present to witness the argument and to witness [VICTIM #1] being pushed off of the bed and slapped, as well as [VICTIM #1] slapping Berry after he pushed her off the bed. After the altercation, Berry got in his vehicle and left the scene. He returned while Deputies were still there. Deputies surrounded his vehicle before he could make it back to the residence and Berry was ordered out of his vehicle. I performed a “Terry Frisk” to ensure he had no weapons and then asked him to tell me what happened. Berry did not want to talk to me or tell me what occurred. I informed him, as of that moment, the only story I had to base my investigation on was the one [VICTIM #1] told me. I told Berry that if he did not give me his account of the events, I would have to go based on what [VICTIM #1] told me. Berry told me to go based on what she told me.

I told Berry to turn around and put his hands behind his back and I placed him under arrest. I placed him in handcuffs, checked them for fitment, and double locked them. I searched him incident to arrest and placed him in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I transported him to the Barrow County Detention Center where he was turned over to Detention Staff. The rear seat of my patrol vehicle was searched before and after transport. No contraband was found.

[VICTIM #1] later informed Sgt. Ferguson that a wall in their home had been damaged by Berry. There was a whole in the drywall caused by Berry striking the wall resulting in damage that [VICTIM #1] stated could be fixed for $500 or less. Sgt. Ferguson took pictures and uploaded them in a Case Supp.

Pictures of the bruising on [VICTIM #1]’ face will be attached to this report.

I established Probable Cause for the following:

OCGA 16-5-23.1 Battery Family Violence: Joshua Berry did commit the offense of Battery Family Violence when he knowingly and intentionally struck [VICTIM #1], his wife, on the left side of her face, resulting in visible bruising.

OCGA 16-5-70 Cruelty to Children in the 3rd Degree: Joshua Berry did commit the offense of Cruelty to Children in the 3rd Degree when he knowingly and intentionally struck [VICTIM #1], his wife, on the left side of her face which resulted in visible bruising, in front of his to children, [REDACTED BY AGENCY]

OCGA 16-7-21 Criminal Trespass Family Violence Damage Under $500 : Joshua Berry did commit the offense of Criminal Trespass Family Violence Damage Under $500 when he knowingly and intentionally struck the wall near a light switch during an argument, resulting in damage costing less than $500 to repair.

[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:

5/1/26

APPEARANCE BOND SET

What this means: An appearance bond was issued for Joshua Lamar Berry on May 1, 2026 — prior to the formal accusation being filed. A bond is a financial guarantee that the defendant will show up for future court dates. By posting this bond, Joshua Lamar Berry was able to be released from custody while the case continued to move forward rather than remaining held in jail.

6/16/26

ACCUSATION FILED — 4 COUNTS AGAINST JOSHUA LAMAR BERRY

What this means: The Barrow County State Court officially filed formal charges against Joshua Lamar Berry on June 16, 2026, under Case No. 26-ST-00615. The accusation was signed by Solicitor-General Kyle Thompson and filed with the Clerk of State Court, Janie Jones. An accusation is the formal document that lays out the specific charges the State of Georgia is bringing — it means the case is now officially moving through the court system. The four counts are as follows:

Count 1 accuses Joshua Lamar Berry of Battery — Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(F)(2)), a misdemeanor charge alleging a first-offense family violence battery against a household or family member.

Count 2 accuses Joshua Lamar Berry of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(D)), alleging that a child was intentionally allowed to witness a forcible felony, battery, or family violence battery.

Count 3 accuses Joshua Lamar Berry of Criminal Trespass — Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-7-21), alleging damage of $500 or less to property in a family violence context.

Count 4 accuses Joshua Lamar Berry of a second count of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(D)), again alleging that a child was intentionally allowed to witness a forcible felony, battery, or family violence battery.

8/3/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY WALKER RICK ENTERS APPEARANCE

What this means: Walker Rick, a defense attorney, officially entered his appearance on behalf of Joshua Lamar Berry on August 3, 2026. This means Walker Rick is now the defendant’s legal representative in Case No. 26-ST-00615 and will handle the defense going forward.

8/3/26

DEFENDANT ELECTS TO PROCEED UNDER OCGA 17-16-20 ET SEQ.; DEMANDS ACCUSATION, WITNESS LIST, STATEMENTS, AND SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

What this means: On August 3, 2026, Joshua Lamar Berry, through his attorney Rick Walker, filed a notice electing to proceed under Georgia’s statutory procedures (O.C.G.A. 17-16-20 et seq.). This election invokes the defendant’s right to demand that the State provide specific discovery materials — the formal accusation, a list of witnesses the State intends to call, any statements the defendant has made, and any written scientific or forensic reports the State plans to use. This is a procedural step that ensures the defense receives the evidence and witness information needed to prepare a defense before trial.