John Keene

Name:
Keene, John Paul

Date of Booking:
05/09/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Possession and Use of Drug-Related Objects

Registration and License Plate Requirement

Failure to Maintain Lane

DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Possession of a Firearm or Knife During Commission or Attempt to Commit Certain Felonies

Purchase, Possess, Manufacture, Distribute, or Sale Marijuana

Possession of Methamphetamine w/ Intent to Distribute

Possession of Methamphetamine

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 05/09/2026 I, Officer D. Blackmon while employed with the Adairsville Police Department Uniformed Patrol Division, was stationery on Hall Station Road when I observed a white S10 pickup truck, pulling a trailer with no tag, pull onto Hall Station Road from the Amoco Store. On the trailer was a black motorcycle, and green dirt bike. The truck then approached the intersection of Hall Station Road and GA 140, turned left onto GA 140. At this time I was able to catch up to the vehicle as it made the turn on GA 140. As the vehicle turned onto GA 140 I observed it make a very wide turn, and cross over the white line into the bicycle lane. I then followed the vehicle for short distance, and observed it cross over the white line several more times. At this time I initiated my emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop.

The vehicle came to stop at GA 140, and Shake Rag Road. I then approached the vehicle, and made contact with the three occupants inside. While speaking with driver, John Keene, and the two passengers, Michaela Millsaps and Crystal Jacome, I advised them the reason for the traffic stop. Mr. Keened stated they were heading back home, and had picked up the green dirt bike from a friend. Mr. Keene also stated that he had borrowed the trailer from a friend. While speaking with the occupants I noticed that everyone inside was extremely nervous, and could see their bodies and hands shaking.

I also observed that the Mr. Keene’s eyes were red and bloodshot, and I could smell the odor of alcohol coming from inside of the vehicle. Also while speaking with them, everyone in the vehicle lit a cigarette. At this time I asked Mr. Keene if he had been drinking, used any legal, or used any illegal drugs that day, and he stated no. At this time I asked everyone to exit the truck, and step to the rear of the vehicle. At this time Ms. Jacome exited from the passenger side as instructed, but the driver and middle passenger were very hesitant to exit. I again advised them to exit the vehicle at which point Mr. Keene began to question why I wanted him to exit. I again advised Mr. Keene and Ms. Millsaps to exit the vehicle at which point they did.

As Mr. Keene exited the vehicle he was very defensive, and aggressive. He grew more nervous, and was adamant that I was violating his rights. I explained to Mr. Keene multiple times that I could legally get him to exit the vehicle. While speaking with Mr. Keene he stated multiple times that he did not have anything illegal on him, or in his vehicle. While I speaking with Mr. Keene, Ms. Jacome stated that she did have an open container of alcohol in a cup inside of the truck. I advised her, and Mr. Keene that was illegal. I then asked Mr. Keene again if he had been drinking, used any legal drug, or illegal drugs that day, which he stated no. Mr. Keene then stated he would take a breath test, and a drug test.

At this time I spoke with all subject individually. While speaking with Mr. Keene he again stated that there was nothing illegal inside of his vehicle. While speaking with him I noticed his eyes were constricted, and his speech was slurred. I then spoke with Ms. Millsaps who stated she did not have anything illegal on her person, and did not know of anything in the vehicle. Ms. Millsaps then stated that Mr. Keene had bad experiences with law enforcement in the past, and that was why he was acting the way he was. I then spoke with Ms. Jacome who stated that she did have an open container of alcohol inside of the truck. Ms. Jacome stated that it was in a plastic cup in the floor board. She then asked if it was possible to just poor it out. At this time Ms. Jacome stated she would show me where the open container was located.

Ms. Jacome then took me to passenger side of the truck, but the door was locked. At this time Mr. Keene stated he would unlock the doors, and asked if he could go to the driver’s door to do so. Mr. Keene then went the driver’s door, and immediately locked the truck, and slammed the door shut. Mr. Keene then acted surprised that he had just locked his keys in the truck. Mr. Keene then stated that his keys weren’t in the truck, and they were at his house. At this time I asked Mr. Keene to step over to the side, and asked him to do Standardized Field Sobriety testing.

As I began the testing I again noticed that Mr. Keene’s eyes were still constricted, and he was still aggravated. I also noticed Mr. Keene was sweating, and his mouth was very dry. It was a cool evening, Mr. Keene sweating was abnormal. I began the testing with Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. During this I observed that Mr. Keene had lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes. I observed both eyes attempting to catch up with the movement of the stimulus, and jerking. I then instructed Mr. Keene on the One Leg Stand test. During instruction Mr. Keene attempted to start the testing before being told to do so. After instruction I advised Mr. Keene he could begin the test when he was ready. During the test Mr. Keene used his arms for balance, and swayed often. Mr. Keene also never picked his foot up off of the ground to the instructed height, and also never pointed his toe like instructed. Mr. Keene looked straight forward instead of down at his feet during the test. I then instructed Mr. Keene on the Walk and Turn test.

Mr. Keene started to early, and only took eight steps down the line when he was instructed to take nine. Mr. Keene also used his to balance while walking, and made an improper turn. Mr. Keene picked his foot up off of the ground, instead of leaving it in place like instructed while making the turn. Mr. Keene then moved both feet off of the line, and then took nine steps coming back, stepping off of the line once while going back.

After the completion of the testing Mr. Keene still wanted to take a portable breath test. I admitted this test to him which showed no signs of alcohol on his breath. The signs shown during testing are commonly related to CNS Depressants and CNS Stimulants. With the signs shown during testing, Mr. Keene’s driving, and his behavior on scene he was placed under arrest for DUI drugs at that time. I then read Mr. Keene Implied consent for subjects over the age of 21 at which point he agreed to a blood draw. I then placed Mr. Keene in the back of my patrol vehicle. I then advised Mr. Keene that his vehicle would be searched incident to arrest, and also inventoried for towing.

At this time Sgt. Martinez, and I used several tools to unlock Mr. Keene’s vehicle. As we approached the driver’s door to attempt to unlock the it I immediately noticed the odor of green Marijuana coming from the vehicle. After a period of time we were able to unlock the door, and gained access inside. As we opened the driver’s door Ms. Millsaps stated there was a handgun under the seat of the truck. We then conducted a search of the truck, and trailer. During the search of the vehicle a clear glass pipe, with another clear glass pipe attached to it, was located in the glove compartment of the truck. Also located located directly under the driver’s seat was a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun.

At this time both Ms. Jacome and Ms. Millsaps were placed under arrest, and placed in the back of Sgt. Martinez’s patrol vehicle. We then continued our search of the vehicle, and Sgt. Martinez located a camouflage zipper pouch in the toolbox in the bed of the truck. Located in zipper pouch was a clear plastic bag containing approximately 13.4 grams of a white crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine. Also located in the pouch was a clear plastic bag containing approximately 14.7 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be Marijuana, and a digital scale. We then completed the search of the vehicle with no further findings.

I then spoke with Mr. Keene about everything located inside of the vehicle at which point he stated he did not want to answer any question at that time, and that he no longer would submit to a blood test. I then spoke with Ms. Millsaps and Ms. Jacome about the items located. Ms. Jacome stated they did not belong to her, and that someone needed to claim it. A short time later Ms. Millsaps stated that the items located belonged to her, but was unable to state where they were located. All statements made by all subjects were under the Miranda Warning. All subjects were then transported to the Bartow County Jail. During the transport Mr. Keene asked me if I would lower some of his charges so that he could pay for everyone to get out of jail.

With the amount of illegal narcotics along with the scale that were located, Detective J. Nesbitt was contacted in reference to asset forfeiture. We advised Detective Nesbitt of the situation, and he then came to the scene. Detective Nesbitt then made contact with the District Attorneys Office who advised him that the Adairsville Police Department would file an asset forfeiture on the truck, trailer, and two motorcycles.

The next list wrecker service Discount Towing was contacted, and removed the truck, trailer and two motorcycles from the scene. A inventory of all property located in the truck was completed. Discount Towing transported the property to the Adairsville Police Department Impound Lot. Asset Forfeiture paperwork will be filed with the Bartow County District Attorneys Office. All evidence collected photographed, and turned into evidence locker 007 at the Adairsville Police Department.

[End of Narrative]