Tarus Mitchell

Name:
Mitchell, Tarus Bernard

Date of Booking:
06/13/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Driving while License Suspended or Revoked – 1st Offense

Public Indecency-1st or 2nd Conviction-Misdemeanor

Public Drunk

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 June 13, 2026, at approximately 0141 hours, I was dispatched to the Applebee’s located at 544 Carl-Bethlehem Road in reference to a suspicious activity call. Dispatch advised that an employee reported a male and female actively engaging in sexual intercourse on top of a vehicle in the rear of the parking lot.

Upon arrival, I illuminated the rear parking lot utilizing my patrol vehicle’s spotlight. I observed two individuals, a male and a female, positioned closely together between two parked vehicles. I observed the male’s hand placed down the front of the female’s pants, fully concealed near her groin area and it appeared his hand was moving up and down.

I activated my front takedown lights, approached the couple on foot, and loudly announced my presence as the Sheriff’s Office. I commanded both individuals to produce identification. The female complied, providing a Georgia driver’s license identifying her as [REDACTED]. The male appeared disoriented, stumbled toward his vehicle, and was subsequently identified by his Georgia Identification Card as Tarus Mitchell.

While Mr. Mitchell retrieved his wallet from the vehicle, I observed an open container of an alcoholic beverage sitting in plain view on the front passenger seat. I instructed him to remove the container from the vehicle. During this initial interaction, I noted immediate indicators of severe alcoholic impairment exhibited by Mr. Mitchell. A strong, distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. Slurred, thick, and unintelligible speech. Bloodshot, watery, and droopy eyes. Gross motor instability, requiring him to lean against the vehicle to maintain balance. Repetitive, nonsensical statements.

Mr. Mitchell presented two separate state identification cards, stating he possessed a “work permit” and was driving home from work. A subsequent records check confirmed that Mr. Mitchell’s driving privileges were suspended, and he held a restricted DUI permit valid only for travel to work, school, or medical appointments. I advised Mr. Mitchell of the nature of the call and stated that I observed him engaging in sexual contact in a public space. Mr. Mitchell denied the allegation. When asked multiple times how much alcohol he had consumed, he refused to answer and repeatedly stated he would simply take an Uber home.

Mr. Mitchell continuously leaned against Ms. [REDACTED]’s vehicle. I ordered him to step away from the vehicle and stand a few feet back. He stated no, he was not going to do what I wanted him to do because I was trying to get him to “Do something to implicate I (he) was incomplicated.” Based on my physical observations of his intoxication, his public conduct, and his operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, I determined there was probable cause to place Mr. Mitchell under arrest.

I commanded Mr. Mitchell to turn around and place his hands behind his back. He replied, “Huh?” and remained stationary. I repeated the verbal command clearly. Mr. Mitchell failed to comply and stared at me. Deputy Arrington and I then physically secured Mr. Mitchell’s arms. Mr. Mitchell tensed his body momentarily but did not offer further physical resistance as he was placed into handcuffs. The handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double-locked. A search incident to arrest was conducted with negative results for contraband, and Mr. Mitchell was secured in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle with the seatbelt fastened.

I interviewed Ms. [REDACTED] on scene. She stated she met Mr. Mitchell at the establishment for food and drinks, admitting to consuming two alcoholic beverages. She reported that Mr. Mitchell had consumed several alcoholic drinks throughout the evening. She added that prior to my arrival, she was attempting to assess if Mr. Mitchell was safe to drive, as it was obvious he was highly impaired. When questioned about the sexual contact I observed, Ms. [REDACTED] stated the physical contact by Mr. Mitchell was unwanted. I asked Ms. [REDACTED] if she wished to pursue criminal charges for sexual battery. She declined, stating she did not want to press charges because they are coworkers. Ms. [REDACTED] voluntarily consented to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), which yielded a positive result for alcohol but registered below the legal per se limit. I advised her to remain parked for a duration before driving, and she agreed.

Deputy Arrington interviewed the restaurant staff. The original reporting employee had already departed the scene, and the remaining employees did not witness the parking lot incident. However, staff members stated that both subjects had previously been caught by management engaging in sexual conduct inside the establishment’s female restroom and had been ordered to leave the premises. Mr. Mitchell’s vehicle was secured and locked on scene. His keys were retained at his request so his spouse could retrieve them from the jail at a later time to claim the vehicle. FLOCK was checked for Mr. Mitchell’s tag and his vehicle was observed driving towards this location at 2230 hours.

Mr. Mitchell was transported to the county jail without further incident. Warrants were secured for the following offenses:

Public Drunkenness
Public Indecency
Driving While License Suspended

[End of Narrative]