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Name:
Kell, Billy Ray
Date of Booking:
03/21/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHEN ENGAGED ON OFFICIAL DUTY (FELONY)
OBSTRUCTING OR HINDERING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS
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 March 21, 2026, at approximately 05:55 hours, I was dispatched to [500 BLOCK] Vaughn Road in reference to a domestic dispute.
While en route, dispatch advised that the offender, Billy Kell Jr., was attempting to break down [VICTIM #1]’s door in an attempt to kill him. Dispatch also advised that Junior stated, “If the police come, I will shoot them.”
Upon the arrival of several deputies, we were met by [VICTIM #1], who advised that Junior was back inside the residence and had guns he believed to be real, but were not.
As Sergeant T.North and I entered the residence while announcing ourselves, we approached the bedroom of Junior. I immediately observed Sgt. North transitioned from low ready to on target and immediately began giving commands to the junior to drop the gun. Transitioning with Sgt. North, I immediately observed what appeared to be a very realistic semi-automatic Glock pistol. It was only after he pointed the pistol at Sgt. North and immediately dropped the pistol, exposing the orange barrel inside the pistol, that we were able to identify it as a toy.
Sgt. North and I immediately advised Junior that he was under arrest. Junior began to actively resist by not placing his hands behind his back and pulling from both of us. Junior was taken to the ground, while still being given lawful commands to stop resisting and place his hands behind his back. After hands-on efforts were exhausted, Deputy W.Tanner then deployed his taser on Junior. The taser did not immediately gain any compliance from Junior as he attempted to physically take the taser from Tanner. When Junior decided to comply, I placed him in double-locked handcuffs to the rear and checked them for proper fit. Junior was checked on by medical personnel on scene before being transported to Carroll County Jail for booking.
The on-call investigator, Inv. C.Finley, was notified, and a crisis referral was completed. A picture of the realistic toy Glock was taken in place of where Junior dropped it, uploaded to the linked files tab of this report, and then collected for evidence.
Based on the dispatched notes, [VICTIM #1]’s extremely disturbed state, and the actions that took place while on scene, Billy Kell Jr. was charged with Terroristic Threats and acts (felony), Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (felony), and obstruction (felony).
[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:
3/21/26
BILLY RAY KELL BOOKED INTO CUSTODY
What this means: Billy Ray Kell was booked — meaning formally processed into jail — in Carroll County on this date. At the time of booking, Kell was accused of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer while the officer was engaged in official duties, obstructing or hindering a law enforcement officer, and making terroristic threats and acts. These are the initial charges recorded at the time of arrest. No conviction has been entered at this stage.
4/6/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: The Office of the Public Defender for the West Georgia Judicial Circuit formally notified Carroll County Superior Court that it would be representing Billy Ray Kell in this case. Public Defender Cyndney Meadows signed the entry of appearance on April 6, 2026. This means Kell has been assigned a court-appointed attorney at public expense. The filing also invoked Standing Order No. 7, which requires the court to send copies of all filings and hearing notices to the defense office going forward.
4/6/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED ON BEHALF OF BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: Defense attorney Cyndney Meadows filed a formal request asking Carroll County Superior Court to set a reasonable bail amount for Billy Ray Kell while his case is pending. The motion argues that Kell is not a flight risk, does not pose a danger to the community, and would not attempt to intimidate witnesses or obstruct justice if released. The motion asks the court to hold a hearing and require the District Attorney’s office to show cause why bail should not be granted.
4/13/26
RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: A judge at Carroll County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi, which is a court order directing the District Attorney’s office to appear and explain why Billy Ray Kell’s request for bond should not be granted. The hearing was scheduled for May 12, 2026, at the Carroll County Courthouse in Carrollton, Georgia. This is a standard procedural step that follows the filing of a bond motion — it sets the stage for both sides to argue the bond question before a judge.
5/5/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 3 COUNTS FILED AGAINST BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: A Carroll County grand jury formally indicted Billy Ray Kell on May 5, 2026, during the April Term 2026 of Carroll County Superior Court. The case is docketed as 26CR495. Prosecuting Officer Archie Barber signed the bill, and the grand jury foreperson returned a true bill, meaning the grand jury found enough evidence to move the case forward to trial. The indictment contains three counts:
Count 1 charges Kell with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21, meaning he is accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer in an aggravated manner while that officer was on duty.
Count 2 charges Kell with Obstruction of an Officer under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-24(b), meaning he is accused of knowingly and willfully obstructing or hindering a law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of official duties.
Count 3 charges Kell with Terroristic Threats under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37(b), meaning he is accused of making threats intended to terrorize another person. No conviction has been entered. Kell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
5/12/26
BOND HEARING HELD FOR BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: The bond hearing that was scheduled by the Rule Nisi issued on April 13, 2026, took place on May 12, 2026, in Carroll County Superior Court. At this hearing, both the defense and the prosecution had the opportunity to argue whether Billy Ray Kell should be released on bail while his case is pending. The outcome of the hearing is not reflected in the available documents at this time.
5/20/26
COURT ORDERS MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION FOR BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: Carroll County Superior Court, under Case No. 26WA381, issued an order directing the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to conduct a mental health evaluation of Billy Ray Kell at public expense. The court noted that both Kell’s mental state at the time of the alleged incident and his current ability to stand trial had been called into question. The evaluation is required to address two specific issues:
First, competency to stand trial — meaning whether Kell currently understands the nature of the court proceedings against him, understands his own situation in relation to those proceedings, and is capable of assisting his attorney in mounting a defense.
Second, mental state at the time of the act — meaning whether Kell’s mental condition at the time of the alleged offenses is relevant to his criminal responsibility. The Department is also directed to provide treatment if appropriate and to submit a written report of its findings, diagnosis, and prognosis to the court.
6/15/26
BILLY RAY KELL WAIVES ARRAIGNMENT — PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: Rather than appearing in person for the arraignment that had been scheduled for July 6, 2026, defense attorney Cyndney Meadows filed a written Waiver of Arraignment on Billy Ray Kell’s behalf on June 15, 2026, in Carroll County Superior Court under Case No. 26CR495, before Judge Dennis Blackmon. This is a common and routine procedural move — it allows the defendant to skip the formal arraignment hearing while still accomplishing everything the hearing would have covered. Through the waiver, Kell requested a copy of the indictment and a list of witnesses, formally entered a plea of not guilty, and demanded a trial by jury. The not guilty plea means the case will continue moving toward trial unless a resolution is reached beforehand.
7/6/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR BILLY RAY KELL
What this means: Billy Ray Kell’s arraignment has been set for July 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Carroll County Superior Court. An arraignment is the formal court hearing at which a defendant is read the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This will be one of the next major steps in Kell’s case.