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Name:
Wright, John Adam
Date of Booking:
08/26/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Theft by Deception
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 April 24, 2026]
On April 24th, 2026 at approximately 10:30am, Detective Roden was assigned a case of possible theft by deception, and asked to contact the complainant. Detective Roden called the complainant, who advised he had hired the offender as a general contractor to finish his basement into a living space. The victim’s residence where the work was supposed to be completed is located at [50 BLOCK] Jacobs Road Ringgold GA.
The complainant advised that he received a quote for the work from the offender, which totaled $23,640.00 and included HVAC, framing, electrical, and finish work. The complainant advised that the offender claimed to be a licensed electrician and general contractor, and claimed that he could manage all aspects of the job. The complainant advised that he paid the offender the deposit on February 23rd at the TVFCU branch located at 35 Poplar Springs Road Ringgold GA. The complainant advised that the offender reached out to him and requested more money multiple times, and there were workers at his residence approximately eight days out of a six week period. The complainant advised that he paid the offender a total of $22, 270.00 and he would estimate that only 25% of the work had been completed.
The complainant advised that he had located the offender’s mother in law and sister in law, who both said that the offender has a reputation of not finishing jobs and running off with the money. The complainant also advised that he spoke with some subcontractors that had similar encounters with the offender. The complainant advised that one of the subcontractors he spoke with is pursuing a civil suit against the offender in Tennessee for a similar transaction. The complainant advised he would not pursue charges against the offender if he was able to get his money back, but would pursue charges if he was not paid.
Detective Roden advised he would attempt to track down the offender and see if he wanted to pay the complainant back or be charged for deceiving the complainant and not completing the work he was paid to do. This case will remain active.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on April 24, 2026]
On April 24th, 2026 at approximately 4:20pm Detective Roden responded to [2100 BLOCK] and [2100 BLOCK] Mill Creek Church Street in Rocky Face GA to attempt to locate the offender. Detective Roden responded to [2100 BLOCK] first due to this being where he was told the offender lives. While getting out of his vehicle, Detective Roden observed someone shut the back door of the residence. Detective Roden circled the residence for approximately 20-30 minutes knocking on all the doors and windows to get whoever was inside to come to the door but he could not get anyone to answer.
Detective Roden then knocked on the door of [2100 BLOCK], which is supposed to be the offender’s grandmother’s residence, and observed the door was unsecured. Detective Roden knocked on the doors and windows for several minutes and was unable to get anyone to the door. Detective Roden observed a white F150 in the driveway of [2100 BLOCK], and it matched the description of a truck the victim advised the offender was driving when he came to meet him. Detective Roden ran the tag and it returned to the offender’s grandmother. Detective Roden also checked the mailbox and observed mail to both the offender and the offender’s grandmother. Detective Roden photographed the mail and the truck. This case will remain active.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on April 29, 2026]
On April 29th, 2026 Detective Roden obtained a warrant for felony theft by deception for the offender. Detective Roden also notified the Department of Community Supervision, and he was advised that they will be seeking a probation violation warrant for him as well. This case will be active pending the capture of the offender.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #4 on August 26, 2026]
On August 26th, 2026 at approximately 10:35am, Detective Roden, Detective Lyons, and DCS Officer Barbee responded to [2100 BLOCK] Mill Creek Church Street in Rocky Face GA to attempt to locate the offender.
Upon arrival, they surrounded the residence and Officer Barbee advised that he observed a male look out of a window at him. The detectives began knocking on the doors and windows to attempt to get someone to come to the door. The detectives also requested the 911 center have Whitfield County deputies respond after they were there for several minutes without anyone coming to the door.
Detective Roden made contact with the offender’s grandmother at a neighboring residence and she came to [2100 BLOCK] and knocked on the door herself. The offender’s wife answered the door and confirmed that the offender was inside by stating that he was getting dressed. Detective Lyons and Detective Roden entered the residence and took the offender into custody. Whitfield County deputies arrived a short time later and transported the offender to the county line, where he was turned over to a Catoosa deputy and transported to the Catoosa County Jail.
Upon arrival at the jail, the offender was served with his warrant and turned over to jail staff. The warrant was removed from NCIC. This case is cleared by arrest.
[End of Narrative]