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Name:
Handel, Mason Earl
Date of Booking:
03/11/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Terroristic Threats and Acts (Fel)
Criminal Trespass
Public Indecency
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 Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 1900 hours, I was dispatched to 981 Cassville White Rd, Cartersville, GA 30121 (TA Travel Center), in reference to a dispute between a security guard and a tractor-trailer driver.
Upon arrival, I met with the security officer who called into Bartow County 911 regarding the dispute. The security officer stated that the tractor-trailer had left the property, but she was now receiving a call from [WITNESS #1] that a white male subject was inside the TA Travel Center with his p*nis in his hand.
I walked inside the TA Travel Center and met with the manager, [VICTIM #1], who pointed the male subject out to me, and advised that the male Subject is Mason Handel and is criminally trespassed from the business. I asked Mason for his name and date of birth, in which he provided. I asked Bartow County Dispatch if they could locate a criminal trespass warning for Mason Handel from the TA Travel Center, in which they advised that they do have a criminal trespass warning for Mason for the TA Travel Center. I placed Mason in handcuffs, and as I was doing so, Mason looked directly at [VICTIM #1] and stated “when I get out of jail you’re going to die.” I placed Mason in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle and returned inside the business to speak with [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #1].
Upon making contact with [WITNESS #1], she stated that she was made aware of Mason by another customer who was no longer on scene. [WITNESS #1] stated, the customer advised her a strange man was sitting at a table outside and had his p*nis in his hand. [WITNESS #1] stated, she was able to see Mason sitting outside of the business and she was able to see him with his p*nis in his hand.
I made contact with [VICTIM #1] again and asked if he wished to press charges for the threats made by Mason to him. [VICTIM #1] stated that he wished to press charges for the threats made by Mason because he was afraid Mason would return to the business and harm him.
I transported Mason to the Bartow County Jail, where he was deferred by medical staff due to an elevated heart rate. I transported Mason to Piedmont Hospital, where he was medically cleared to return to the jail and discharged. I transported Mason back to the Bartow County Jail, where he was turned over to jail staff without further incident.
[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:
4/15/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 3 COUNTS AGAINST MASON EARL HANDEL
What this means: The Bartow County District Attorney’s Office, through the Cherokee Judicial Circuit, formally filed criminal charges against Mason Earl Handel in Bartow Superior Court under Case No. SUCR2026000689. Because this is an accusation rather than a grand jury indictment, it means the case was brought directly by the prosecutor. Handel is accused of three counts: Count 1 — Terroristic Threats, under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37(b), which covers allegedly making threats designed to terrorize another person; Count 2 — Public Indecency, under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-8, which covers allegedly engaging in indecent acts in a public place; and Count 3 — Criminal Trespass, under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21(b), which covers allegedly entering or remaining on someone’s property without permission. All three charges stem from warrant numbers CB0178563, CB0179561, and CB0179563.
4/21/26
MASON EARL HANDEL PLEADS GUILTY — SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS WITH PROBATION
What this means: Mason Earl Handel appeared in Bartow Superior Court and entered a negotiated guilty plea to the charges against him. The court imposed the following sentence: a total of 5 years, with the initial portion to be served in the Intensive Treatment Facility (ITF) program — a structured residential program — and the remainder to be served on probation. The sentence runs concurrent with any existing probation revocation. Handel receives credit for time already served in custody beginning March 11, 2026. Count 1 (Terroristic Threats) carried a 5-year sentence running concurrent with the probation revocation. Count 2 (Public Indecency) was nolle prosequi — meaning the prosecutor declined to prosecute that charge and it was dismissed. Count 3 (Criminal Trespass) carried 12 months, running concurrent with Count 1. As conditions of his probation, Handel must complete 80 hours of community service (which the court noted shall be considered completed based on time already served), complete the ITF program and aftercare, stay at least 300 yards away from the victim at all times, and have absolutely no contact of any kind with the victim.