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Name:
Butler, Daniel Christopher
Date of Booking:
05/27/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
PUBLIC INDECENCY-1ST OR 2ND CONVICTION – M
Public Drunkenness – M
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, May 27, 2026, I responded to the report of a male individual mast*rbating in Forsyth Park. The complainant wished to remain anonymous.
Upon arrival, other Savannah PD Officers and a Savannah Code Compliance Officer were with the suspect, who was identified as DANIEL BUTLER.
Butler was sitting on a bench with the top of his pants open. He had empty alcoholic beverage containers around him. Butler had watery, glassy, droopy eyes. He was mumbling and slurring his words, unsteady on his feet, had difficulty following directions, and had an obvious odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from his person.
The other officers stated there were previous calls regarding him mast*rbating in the park earlier in the day. Officer Burgis witnessed him doing this action; however, he did not make an arrest at that time.
I determined to place Butler under arrest. He was placed in fit-checked, double-locked handcuffs. He was then searched incident to arrest.
Butler was transported and booked into the Chatham County Detention Center. At the jail, he continued to mumble incoherently and not follow directions.
Officer Owens logged Butler’s bike into the Savannah PD Property Room for safekeeping.
[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:
5/28/26
FIRST APPEARANCE AND BOND HEARING HELD — BOND SET AT $1,000
What this means: Daniel Christopher Butler appeared before a judge at the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County on May 28, 2026, for his first appearance, advisement of rights, and bond hearing. This is a standard early step in a misdemeanor case where a judge informs the defendant of the charges against them and decides whether they can be released from jail while the case proceeds. At this hearing, Butler entered a Not Guilty plea and requested a Recorder’s Court hearing rather than a State Court trial. He elected to be represented by a Public Defender. Bond was set at $1,000. The judge also noted additional bond conditions, including no contact with the alleged victim and no contact related to domestic violence. The hearing was presided over by a judge of the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County.
6/2/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED — ATTORNEY TINA MARIE HESSE ASSIGNED
What this means: On June 2, 2026, attorney Tina Marie Hesse of 222 West Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 437, Savannah, was formally appointed as Daniel Christopher Butler’s public defender in case RCCR26-12510. This means the court determined Butler qualified for a court-appointed attorney at no cost to him. Hesse’s assignment is reflected in the indigent defense records for Chatham County.
7/9/26
RECORDER’S COURT HEARING SCHEDULED — BUTLER SUBPOENAED TO APPEAR
What this means: Daniel Christopher Butler was issued an Accusation and Subpoena by the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County, ordering him to appear in person at the Chatham County Courthouse, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, on July 9, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 1D (Coleman Courthouse). This document formally commands Butler to be present and to continue appearing until the matter is resolved. Failure to appear could result in legal consequences. This hearing is the next scheduled step in case RCCR26-12510.