Michael Hornbuckle

The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.

Name:
Hornbuckle, Michael Anthony

Date of Booking:
12/15/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents

Financial Transaction Card Theft

Identity theft fraud when using/possessing identifying info concerning a person

Theft by Taking-Misdemeanor

Financial Transaction Card Fraud

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 September 03, 2025]

On the afternoon of September 03, 2025 at approximately 14:39 hours, I, Sgt. B. Smith, employed by the Adairsville Police Department, Uniformed Patrol Division was dispatched to the United Community Bank, located at 7400 Hwy. 140, Adairsville, Ga. 30103 in reference to a fraud report.

Upon my arrival I met with the Branch Manager, Ms. [WITNESS #1] who advised that one of their customers, Mr. [VICTIM #1] was missing $1,155.00 from his account. Ms. [WITNESS #1] reported that a paper trail showed that the money was used to buy guns from North Carolina and were being shipped to Adairsville Pawn and Gun, under the name of Ms. [REDACTED]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] then pointed out that Ms. [REDACTED] was the sister of the man who was sitting in the office across from where we were located, later identified as Mr. Michael Hornbuckle. Ms. [WITNESS #1] also stated that Mr. Hornbuckle was the person that drove Mr. [VICTIM #1] to the bank.

While speaking with Mr. [VICTIM #1] and Ms. [WITNESS #1], I noticed that Mr. Hornbuckle had left the office and was walking towards the exit. I stopped Mr. Hornbuckle and asked him to return to the office because I was conducting an investigation. Mr. Hornbuckle then asked me if he could go outside and smoke a cigarette. I advised Mr. Hornbuckle that he could go outside and smoke but he would need to show me his I.D. before he did so. Mr. Hornbuckle then advised me that he did not have an I.D. and continued towards the exit. I followed Mr. Hornbuckle, requesting him to stop, which he eventually did after exiting the bank.

Outside the bank I advised Mr. Hornbuckle that I was conducting an investigation and that he was part of the investigation rather he liked it or not, and being that he was I needed to identify him for the report. Mr. Hornbuckle then asked me if I was asking him for his I.D. or telling him to give me his I.D.. I advised Mr. Hornbuckle that I was telling him, to which Mr. Hornbuckle advised that he was pleading the 5th and I would have to talk to his lawyer. I then advised Mr. Hornbuckle that he was under arrest for Obstruction for hindering my investigation. Mr. Hornbuckle was then handcuffed with his hands behind his back and placed in the rear seat of a waiting patrol vehicle.

Mr. Hornbuckle’s Georgia Driver’s License was located in his wallet and a query of his information through Bartow County Dispatch revealed that Mr. Hornbuckle had 2 outstanding warrants for his arrest. I then contacted Detective J. Nesbitt, who arrived on scene shortly afterwards, taking over the fraud portion of the case.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on September 08, 2025]

On September 8, 2025 I, Detective J.Nesbitt #020 with the Adairsville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division made contact with Ms. [REDACTED], who is employed by Classic Firearms in reference to this case.

I obtained serial numbers for the firearms that were ordered online in this case and that were scheduled to be shipped to Adairsville Pawn.

I was later contacted by [REDACTED] who is employed by Adairsville Pawn.

Ms. [REDACTED] advised me that the order had been received on this date for the items in question.

I then relocated to Adairsville Pawn and seized two firearms, both being Anderson Complete AR15 Lower Receivers bearing serial #25035839 and #25034946. These serial numbers were confirmed by photographing the actual lower receivers, along with the shipping labels and confirmation from Ms. [REDACTED] at Classic Firearms.

I completed a property receipt #01376 for the firearms and photographed the packaging that they had been shipped in.

[End of Narrative]

The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

1/12/26

BOND REDUCED TO $10,000

What this means: Judge Suzanne Smith of the Superior Court in the Cherokee Judicial Circuit reduced Michael Anthony Hornbuckle’s bond to $10,000 in case SUW2025003500. The court found that Hornbuckle poses no significant risk of fleeing, threatening the community, committing other felonies, or intimidating witnesses. The order included standard conditions like not violating criminal laws, not leaving Georgia without permission, and appearing in court as directed. Hornbuckle is represented by attorney Christopher Summers.

---

1/29/26

MOTION FOR BOND REDUCTION FILED

What this means: Michael Anthony Hornbuckle’s attorney Christopher Summers filed a motion asking the Bartow County Superior Court to reduce his client’s bond in case SUW2025003500. This is a formal request to lower the amount of money Hornbuckle must pay to be released from jail while awaiting trial on charges including financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking, identity fraud, and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults.

---

1/29/26

RULE NISI ISSUED FOR BOND HEARING

What this means: The Bartow County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi scheduling a hearing on Michael Anthony Hornbuckle’s motion for bond reduction for February 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom A at the Bartow County Courthouse. A Rule Nisi is a court order that requires all interested parties to appear and show cause why the requested relief should not be granted. This gives the prosecution an opportunity to oppose the bond reduction request.

---

2/2/26

BOND FURTHER REDUCED TO $7,500

What this means: Following the February 2nd hearing on Michael Anthony Hornbuckle’s motion for bond reduction, Judge Suzanne Smith further reduced his bond from $10,000 to $7,500 in case SUW2025003500. The court maintained the same conditions as the previous bond order, including not violating criminal laws, not leaving Georgia without permission, and appearing for all court dates. This second reduction suggests the court found additional reasons to lower the bond amount.

---

2/6/26

BOND SET

What this means: Michael Anthony Hornbuckle posted a $7,500 bond in Bartow County Superior Court in case SUW2025003500. This bond document, signed by Don James Bond as security, allows Hornbuckle to be released from jail while his case is pending. The bond amount was set at $7,500, down from an original higher amount. Hornbuckle is accused of financial transaction card fraud, financial transaction card theft, theft by taking, exploitation of disabled adults, and identity fraud.

---

2/12/26

BOND POSTED

What this means: Michael Anthony Hornbuckle successfully posted his $7,500 bond and was released from custody in Bartow County. Don James Bond served as the surety, guaranteeing the bond amount. With his release, Hornbuckle must comply with all court-ordered conditions while his case proceeds through the legal system on charges of financial fraud and exploitation of vulnerable adults.