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Name:
Cruz, Victor Maurino
Date of Booking:
05/10/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area
Furnishing, Purchasing of Alcoholic Beverages by Persons Below Legal Age
Speeding in Construction Zone
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (less safe)
Reckless Driving
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 May 10, 2026]
On 5/10/2026, at 0300 hours, I was traveling westbound on University Parkway, approaching the intersection of Patrick Mill Road. I observed a car coming up behind me at a high rate of speed. I activated my rear radar antenna and heard a clear doplar tone. The visual display unit showed the vehicle’s speed to be 103 MPH in the posted 55 MPH construction zone. I pulled into the median and waited for the vehicle to pass me. At the same time, Lt. Hansen was operating stationary radar on the westbound side of University Parkway and was able to get the vehicle’s speed at 107 MPH. He entered the roadway and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle as they approached my location.
Initial contact with driver:
I approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Victor Cruz, and began speaking with him. While speaking with Victor, I smelled a strong odor commonly associated with an alcohol beverage coming from inside the vehicle. I asked Victor how much alcohol he had consumed today and he stated, “not enough”. Based on the traffic violation, the general demeanor of Victor, and the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle, I asked Victor to step out of the vehicle.
I asked Victor to participate in voluntary field sobriety exercises and he agreed. I asked Victor if he was wearing contacts and he stated no. I asked him if he was taking any medication and he stated no. He stated that he did not have any medical conditions that would prohibit him from completing the exercises. As I was asking these questions, I smelled a strong odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
Field Sobriety Exercises:
This evaluation was performed on University Parkway. The evaluation surface was a flat and smooth paved concrete area with no defected areas noted or claimed. The lighting conditions consisted of patrol vehicle headlights and my flashlight. There was no rain or substantial wind noted, and the ambient air temperature was approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Horizonal Gaze Nystagmus (explained and observed):
I told Victor to stand with his feet together and his hands at his sides. I asked Victor to look forward and to not move his head. I told Victor to follow my stimulus with his eyes only. I asked Victor if he understood, and he stated that he did.
Victor’s eyes displayed equal tracking and equal pupil size. I then checked for lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and an angle of onset of nystagmus prior to forty-five degrees in both eyes.
I observed the following 6 clues:
- Lack of smooth pursuit was observed in the left eye, then right eye.
- Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation was observed in the left eye, then right eye.
- A angle of onset of 35 degrees was observed in the left eye, then right eye.
I then checked for vertical nystagmus, and it was observed in the left eye, then right eye.
I observed that Victor’s eyes were watery, and I observed redness in the conjunctiva of both eyes.
Walk And Turn (explained and demonstrated):
I showed Victor a straight line and instructed him to place his left foot on it. I then told Victor to place his right foot in front of it, heel-to-toe. I instructed Victor keep his hands at his sides and demonstrated it. I told Victor to stand in that position while I demonstrated the nine step walk and turn evaluation and not to begin until told to do so. I asked if he understood, and he stated that he did.
I demonstrated to Victor how he was to take nine heel-to-toe steps remaining on the line. I explained that on the ninth step he was to keep his front foot on the line and turn around with a series of small steps with the rear foot. I explained that he was then to return taking nine heel-to-toe steps. I explained that he was to look at his feet, count his steps aloud and keep his hands at his sides. I explained that once he began, he was not to stop until finished. I asked Victor if he understood, and he stated that he did.
Victor displayed the following 6 clues:
Instruction phase
- Could not keep balance during instructions.
- Started too soon.
- Used arms to balance.
- Completed an improper turn.
- Stopped while walking on the following steps:
– first 9 steps: step 9
6. Took the incorrect number of steps by taking 8 steps on the second 9 steps.
One Leg Stand (explained and demonstrated):
I told Victor to stand with his feet together and his hands at his sides and he complied. I told Victor that I was going to demonstrate the one leg stand evaluation. I told Victor not to begin until told to do so. I asked if he understood, and he stated that he did.
I demonstrated how he was to lift a foot of his choice approximately six inches off the ground with his toes pointed out. I explained that he was to keep both legs straight and keep his hands at his sides. I told Victor he was to look at the raised foot and count aloud in the following manner, 1001, 1002, 1003, etc. until told to stop. I asked Victor if he understood, and he stated that he did.
Victor raised his left leg and displayed the following 2 clues:
Counting and balancing phase
- Put foot down.
- Used arms to balance.
Portable Breath Test (PBT):
The portable breath test instrument registered positive for the presence of alcohol on Victor’s breath with a reading of 0.167 BAC. Arrest:
Based on my observations, the traffic violations, the general demeanor of Victor, and the totality of the circumstances, I believe Victor was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol less safe. It was explained to Victor that he was under arrest for driving under the influence.
I immediately read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21. Victor refused to submit to a chemical test of his breath under the Georgia Implied Consent Law.
Victor was placed into handcuffs behind his back; they were checked for proper fit and then double locked in safety. He was searched incident to arrest, checking for contraband with negative results. Victor was then secured in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle.
I then made contact with the passenger of the vehicle, Gianncarlo Orozco, and began speaking with him. While speaking with him I observed an odor of alcohol coming from his breath. I observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. I asked him if he had consumed any alcohol tonight and he stated no. I asked him to provide a sample into a PBT, but he refused. He was then placed under arrest for underage consumption of alcohol. He was secured into handcuffs and then secured in the rear seat of my patrol car.
During a PC search of the vehicle, multiple open bottles of liquor were located inside the car along with open beer cans shoved behind the driver’s seat.
I then transported them to the Barrow County Detention Center where he was turned over to the Booking Deputies without incident. Prior to the beginning of my shift, prior to and after transport, a search of the rear seat of my patrol car was completed. During the search, no contraband was located.
Citations:
Victor was issued citations for dui, reckless driving, speeding, open container, and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Gianncarlo was issued citations for underage consumption of alcohol and open container of alcohol.
Victor was issued a DDS 1205 form to which he signed.
Vehicle Disposition:
Victor’s vehicle was removed from the scene by [REDACTED].
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on May 10, 2026]
On 10 May 2026 at approximately 0303 hours, I was parked stationary on University Parkway westbound, east of its intersection with Patrick Mill Road SW, Winder Barrow County Georgia. I was monitoring traffic when I observed a vehicle outpacing a group of westbound vehicles. I visually estimated the vehicle to be traveling 100 miles an hour. The posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour as this section of University Parkway is a construction zone. Utilizing the department issued Stalker DSR 2X (serial# DB026334) radar unit in my marked Barrow County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, I received a clear and loud Doppler tone and observed the target vehicle speed to be 100 miles per hour. Continuing to track the vehicle, I observed its speed to increase to 107 miles per hour.
Once the black passenger car passed me, I turned on my headlights and proceeded to catch up. As we crossed through the intersection of University Parkway and Patrick Mill Road SW, I caught up with the black Infiniti G35 displaying Georgia LPN [REDACTED]. The Infiniti pulled to the shoulder past the intersection.
Upon initial contact with the driver, identified by his Georgia license as Victor Cruz, I explained who I was and the reason for the stop. While speaking with Victor, I observed his eyes to be watery, glassy and bloodshot. Knowing this to be indicative of someone who is possibly under the influence of alcohol, I asked Sgt. Kinney who was with me to speak with the driver while I checked his license status. Prior to completing the GCIC/NCIC check of Victor’s license, Sgt. Kinney motioned to me and upon my exiting my patrol vehicle, he requested my spotlight be turned off as he was conducting field sobriety. I turned the traffic stop over to Sgt. Kinney and assumed an assisting role.
[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:
6/10/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 5 COUNTS CHARGED AGAINST VICTOR MAURINO CRUZ
What this means: The State Court of Barrow County formally charged Victor Maurino Cruz, also known as Victor Cruz, with five separate offenses under case number 26-ST-00595. The accusation was filed by Kristen L. Murphy, Chief Assistant Solicitor-General, and signed by Clerk of State Court Janie Jones. All five alleged offenses are said to have occurred on or about May 10, 2026, on University Parkway in Barrow County.
Count 1 charges Victor Maurino Cruz with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) — Alcohol, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1). He is accused of driving a motor vehicle on University Parkway while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for him to do so.
Count 2 charges Victor Maurino Cruz with Reckless Driving, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-390. He is accused of driving on University Parkway in a manner showing reckless disregard for the safety of people and property — specifically by allegedly driving at an excessive speed in a construction zone after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Count 3 charges Victor Maurino Cruz with Speeding in a Construction Zone, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-188. He is accused of operating a motor vehicle at 103 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles per hour zone on University Parkway, in an area designated as a highway work zone with required signage and barriers in place.
Count 4 charges Victor Maurino Cruz with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, under O.C.G.A. 3-3-23. He is accused of knowingly providing an alcoholic beverage to a passenger under 21 years of age.
Count 5 charges Victor Maurino Cruz with Open Container, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-253. He is accused of possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle while operating it on University Parkway, a public highway.
6/12/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR VICTOR MAURINO CRUZ
What this means: Attorney Steve M. Honeycutt formally notified the State Court of Barrow County that he is representing Victor Maurino Cruz in case number 26-NA-00557. By filing this Entry of Appearance, Honeycutt is now the attorney of record, meaning all official court notices and communications related to this case must be directed to him. Honeycutt is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
6/12/26
VICTOR MAURINO CRUZ WAIVES ARRAIGNMENT — NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED — JURY TRIAL REQUESTED
What this means: Through his attorney Steve M. Honeycutt, Victor Maurino Cruz waived his right to a formal arraignment hearing in the State Court of Barrow County. An arraignment is the court appearance where a defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea. By waiving it, Victor Maurino Cruz skipped that hearing and had his attorney enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf. The filing also requests that the case be decided by a jury rather than a judge alone.