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Name:
Bess, Shadonjahnique Quiterria
Date of Booking:
05/23/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects
Marijuana possession less than 1 oz.
No Insurance
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
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 05/23/2026 at 1813 hours, I (Sgt. Wolfe) was on stationary patrol on W. May Street near Horton Street, when I observed a white Honda Accord (GA TAG#[REDACTED]) traveling westbound on W. May Street.
Upon running the vehicle’s registration through GCIC, it returned with valid registration, but no valid insurance. I activated my emergency equipment and stopped the vehicle on W. May Street near Polite Road. The vehicle turned into the parking lot of the gas station.
I made contact with the driver, later identified as Shadonjahnique Bess. I observed the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Ms. Bess was smoking a black and mild cigar, very heavy, filling the vehicle with smoke. I explained the reason for the stop, and Ms. Bess stated that she did have insurance. She began trying to pull up the insurance on her cell phone. I observed that she was shaking, and her hand that was holding the Black and Mild was shaking uncontrollably.
Ms. Bess claimed that she had switched insurances and showed me a picture of her insurance card, which she stated she just got back in April. I returned to my patrol car and requested a second unit to my location.
Cpl. Cureington arrived on scene, and I had Ms. Bess step out of the vehicle. I had her walk to the front of my vehicle. I asked her if she smoked marijuana, and she stated yes. I asked her if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle, and she stated yes. I asked her when the last time she smoked marijuana was, and she stated right before she left. I asked her to go where, and she stated that she was going to work. Ms. Bess stated that she was on her way to work currently. I advised her to stand with Cpl. Cureington.
I then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle due to the odor of marijuana. In the center console, I located an ashtray that contained multiple marijuana blunt roaches. In her purse that was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle, I located a pack of rolling papers and a black bag that contained marijuana. I also located three open cigar wrappers.
I returned and began speaking with Ms. Bess about how much marijuana she had smoked. Ms. Bess claimed it wasn’t a lot, and was a half a blunt, whatever she had left. Ms. Bess confirmed she lived in Athens and was heading to her job. Ms. Bess agreed to participate in field sobriety tests. Ms. Bess did not have any medical conditions or ailments that would prevent her from participating. Ms. Bess stated she did not take any medication.
I began with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus evaluation (HGN). Ms. Bess had equal tracking, equal pupil size, and did not have resting nystagmus. During the test, I did not observe a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes. I did not observe nystagmus in both eyes at maximum deviation, and did not observe nystagmus in both eyes on the onset prior to 45 degrees. Based on my training, knowledge, and experience, in individuals under the influence of cannabis, HGN will not be present. (0-6)
I did observe that Ms. Bess had bloodshot, glossy eyes, droopy eyelids, and body tremors. I explained and demonstrated the walk and turn evaluations. Ms. Bess did not have any questions and began the test. Ms. Bess did not walk heel to toe, did the turn incorrectly, stopped after the 9th step, and took a half turn to the left, and stood there. Ms. Bess began asking me questions, and I advised her that I had already explained the test to her. Ms. Bess seemed confused and did not know what to do next. I advised her we would move on. (3-8)
I explained and demonstrated the one-leg stand evaluation. I did not observe any clues. (0-4) I then explained the modified Romberg test. During the test, Ms. Bess estimated the passage of 30 seconds, in approximately 20 seconds. Ms. Bess stated that she started before I told her to start, and estimated 33 seconds.
During the test, I observed eye and body tremors, and slight swaying back and forth. I performed the lack of convergence test, and did not observe a lack of convergence. I asked her to open up her mouth, asked her to stick out her tongue, and I observed a white chalky substance and raised taste buds on her tongue.
I advised Ms. Bess that she was under arrest for DUI-drugs, possession of marijuana <1oz, and possession of drug-related objects. I placed her in handcuffs behind her back. They were double-locked and checked for proper spacing. Ms. Bess was searched incident to arrest for weapons, contraband, and means of escape. Nothing was located. Ms. Bess was placed into the back seat of my patrol car and secured with a seat belt.
I then read Ms. Bess the Georgia Implied Consent for suspects 21 and over. I asked her if she would submit to the state-administered test of her blood. Ms. Bess first stated, Yeah, agreeing to implied consent. I went to the back of my patrol car to obtain an item, and Ms. Bess began asking me what the blood was for. I explained that if she agreed to implied consent, the process of going to the hospital to complete the GBI kit. I explained to her that I read implied consent to her, and just needed a yes or no. Ms. Bess mumbled something about how she wasn’t going to do that. I asked her if she was refusing then, and she stated “yeah”.
I advised dispatch to contact the next towing company on the list. Myle’s Wrecker Service arrived on scene. An impound report was completed. I transported Ms. Bess to the Barrow County Jail without incident. Ms. Bess was issued the following citations:
#WC002332 no insurance 1st offense.
#WC002333 DUI-drugs
#WC002334 possession of marijuana <1oz
#WC002335 possession of drug-related objects
I completed and served Ms. Bess the DDS 1205 for refusing the state-administered chemical test. The yellow copy of the form was placed in Ms. Bess’ property. Once back at the Winder Police Department, the cigar wraps and rolling papers were given property receipt #A29758. The bag of marijuana had a gross weight of 5.29 grams. The multiple blunt roaches had a net weight of 2.64 grams. Those were given property receipt #A29758. All items were placed in the temporary evidence locker #003. All items were given LERMS property receipts.
The back seat of my patrol car was checked before and after Ms. Bess was placed inside.
[End of Narrative]