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Name:
Cooley, Darren Deshawn
Date of Booking:
03/15/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
U-Turn Prohibited Where Posted
Marijuana-possess less than 1 oz
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Reckless Driving
Fleeing/Attempting to Elude Police
Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor
Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor
Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor
Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor
Aggravated Assault Against a Police Officer
Failure to Appear-Misdemeanor
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 03/15/2026 at 0046 hours, I was dispatched to 204 East Felton Road SE, Cartersville, GA 30121 at the Guest House in reference to a harassment/ threats call in progress.
As I was pulling into the Guest House, there was a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle given for the threats call that was leaving as I was entering, which was a white PC (personal car) with a black roof. Deputy Rickett initiated the traffic stop at Hwy 41 at the cross street, Market Place Blvd. The suspect vehicle kept rolling all the way up to the on-ramp leading to Hwy 411, where it came to a stop. Deputy Rickett verified that the driver and suspect, Darren Cooley, was wanted for failure to appear in Bartow County.
At this point, I opened Darren’s door and told him that he had a warrant for his arrest and that he needed to step out of the vehicle. Darren continued to talk to someone on the phone instead of complying with my lawful orders. Darren’s eyes were very bloodshot, and his speech was slurred. Darren also smelled like a strong odor of marijuana, based on my training and experience. Due to the circumstances, I was unable to do field sobriety on Darren, but I still charged him with DUI (drugs) due to the fact that his speech was slurred, he could not hold a legitimate conversation, his words did not make sense, his eyes were extremely bloodshot, and the strong odor of marijuana coming off of his clothes and vehicle.
After Darren did not get out of the vehicle, Deputy Rickett and I grabbed him by his jacket and tried to pull him out of his car. At this time, Deputy Noble and Deputy Rickett unholstered their duty weapons and held Darren at gunpoint because Darren kept reaching for the unknown with his right hand near the area of his center console and the passenger seat, while I had control of his left hand. Shortly after this, Darren stated that he would step out of the car, he pulled one leg out of the car, and then put the car in drive and fled the scene.
After Darren flees, all deputies, including me, initiate a chase. Darren drove from Hwy 41 NB to 411 toward Hwy 20, and did an abrupt illegal U-turn at the first turn that he could. Darren then drove up the on-ramp to get back onto Hwy 41 NB, where he stopped approximately 100-200 meters after the ramp. Darren exited his vehicle and reached back in his car momentarily. I exited my patrol vehicle and noticed that Deputy Rickett already had Darren at gunpoint. Darren was walking away from his vehicle after shutting his car door, so I started sprinting at Darren and took him down to the ground to prevent him from attempting to flee from me again. I placed Darren under arrest and put handcuffs on him. After this, I placed Darren in my patrol vehicle. After I had control of Darren, he stated that there was “weed” in his vehicle. When I went back to his car, I found marijuana, which later weighed 13.2 grams. I submitted the suspected marijuana into evidence to be destroyed.
I asked Darren multiple times if he needed an ambulance to come to the scene and assess him if he had any injuries, but Darren did not answer any of my questions regarding getting medical attention.
Darren was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer due to Darren nearly striking Deputy Noble with his vehicle. At the time of the incident, Deputy Noble was located at the front passenger side of Darren’s vehicle. As Darren started to flee from us, Deputy Noble had to quickly get out of the way to avoid being hit by Darren’s vehicle. I charged Darren with driving under the influence (drugs). All other charges are listed in offenses that occurred during Darren’s attempt to flee.
Darren’s vehicle was towed by Agape Towing after the arrest. Darren’s illegal U-turn resulted in him receiving an illegal left turn charge.
[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:
3/15/26
DARREN DESHAWN COOLEY ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO BARTOW COUNTY JAIL
What this means: Darren Deshawn Cooley was arrested and booked into the Bartow County Jail on this date. He is accused of a number of offenses stemming from the same incident, including a prohibited U-turn, marijuana possession (less than one ounce), DUI (driving under the influence of drugs), reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude police, four counts of willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer (all misdemeanors), aggravated assault against a police officer, and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. No bond had been set at the time of booking.
3/22/26
BOND DENIED BY COURT ORDER
What this means: Following the bond hearing, a judge of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Superior Court signed an Order Denying Bond for Darren Deshawn Cooley. The court found that Cooley poses a significant risk of fleeing from the jurisdiction of the court or failing to appear when required, and that he poses a significant risk of committing any felony pending trial. Cooley remained held in the Bartow County Jail without bond.
3/30/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY FILES ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, ASSERTS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND DEMANDS JURY TRIAL
What this means: Attorney Trina Griffiths filed formal paperwork in the Bartow County Superior Court officially entering her appearance as Darren Deshawn Cooley’s attorney of record. The filing also asserted constitutional protections on Cooley’s behalf and formally demanded that the case be tried before a jury.
3/30/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: Attorney Trina Griffiths filed a Motion for Discovery in the Bartow County Superior Court on behalf of Darren Deshawn Cooley. This motion formally requests that the prosecution provide the defense with evidence and materials related to the charges. Discovery is a standard part of the legal process that allows the defense to review the evidence the State intends to use.
4/29/26
DEFENSE FILES NEW MOTION FOR BAIL
What this means: Attorney Trina Griffiths filed a second Motion for Bail in the Bartow County Superior Court on behalf of Darren Deshawn Cooley, asking the court to reconsider setting bail while his case moves toward resolution. Cooley had remained incarcerated in the Bartow County Jail since his arrest.
4/29/26
COURT SCHEDULES BOND HEARING FOR 5/4/26
What this means: In response to the new Motion for Bail, the Bartow County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi — a scheduling order — directing the parties to appear on May 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom C of the Bartow County Courthouse, located at 135 West Cherokee Avenue, Cartersville, Georgia, for a hearing on the motion. The order was addressed to attorney Trina Griffiths.
5/4/26
MOTIONS HEARING HELD
What this means: A motions hearing was held in the Bartow County Superior Court on May 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM, as scheduled. This hearing was set to address the pending Motion for Bail filed by attorney Trina Griffiths on behalf of Darren Deshawn Cooley.
5/4/26
DISMISSAL OF CRIMINAL ACTION — THREE CHARGES DISMISSED BY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
What this means: On May 4, 2026, Assistant District Attorney Alan D. Smith of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit filed a Dismissal of Criminal Action, dropping three charges against Darren Deshawn Cooley. The dismissed charges were: Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer When Engaged in Official Duty, DUI — Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, and Reckless Driving. The District Attorney’s Office stated it was declining to prosecute these charges because the facts supporting them were being used as evidence in — or charged as separate offenses in — another case arising from the same incident.
5/6/26
DARREN DESHAWN COOLEY PLEADS GUILTY — SENTENCED TO 36 MONTHS WITH 75 DAYS TO SERVE
What this means: On May 6, 2026, Darren Deshawn Cooley entered negotiated guilty pleas to six misdemeanor counts in the Bartow County Superior Court under Criminal Action No. 26-764, May Term 2026. The court entered the following judgment on each count:
Count 1 — Obstruction of an Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months and a $400 fine.
Count 2 — Obstruction of an Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months, concurrent with Count 1.
Count 3 — Obstruction of an Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months, concurrent with Count 1.
Count 4 — Obstruction of an Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months, consecutive to Count 1.
Count 5 — Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months, consecutive to Count 4, with a $500 fine.
Count 6 — Improper U-turn: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months, concurrent with Count 1.
The total sentence is 36 months (3 years), with the first 75 days to be served in confinement. Credit was given for time already served. The remaining balance of the sentence is probated, meaning Cooley will serve the rest under supervision in the community rather than in jail, provided he meets all probation conditions. The plea was negotiated — meaning it was reached by agreement between the defense and the prosecution.