Keith Richards

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Name:
Richards, Keith Ricardo

Date of Booking:
03/08/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
PURCHASE, POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR SALE OF MARIJUANA – M

POSSESSION AND USE OF DRUG-RELATED OBJECTS – M

PUBLIC INDECENCY-1ST OR 2ND CONVICTION – 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 03/07/26, I responded to 797 Joe St. (Resurrectional Pentecostal Church) in reference to a report of a male subject exposing his genitalia. Upon arrival, I made contact with the complainant, identified as [VICTIM #1].

[VICTIM #1] advised she had been exiting the church with her son, identified as [REDACTED], in order to enter her vehicle when she observed a black male across the street eastbound underneath a covered pavilion located on the property of Hubert Middle School. [VICTIM #1] described the male as wearing a blue hat, colorful shorts, and light-colored shoes and stated he was in possession of a bicycle.

[VICTIM #1] advised the male began making noises and gesturing toward her in an attempt to gain her attention. When [VICTIM #1] looked toward the male, she observed him make a lewd gesture toward his shorts-covered genital area before stepping partially behind a support post of the pavilion. [VICTIM #1] stated the male then gestured for her to come closer before reaching inside his shorts and simultaneously pulling them down partially, exposing his p*nis while attempting to grab it. [VICTIM #1] advised she immediately hurried herself and her son into her vehicle and contacted police. [VICTIM #1] further stated she then observed the male leave the area on a bicycle in an unknown direction.

[VICTIM #1] also advised that her family member, identified as [WITNESS #1], had witnessed a similar incident involving the same male prior to entering the church for service. I contacted [WITNESS #1] via cellphone. [WITNESS #1] advised she had been arriving at 797 Joe St. for church service when she looked eastbound toward the pavilion at Hubert Middle School and observed a black male matching the description provided by [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] stated the male appeared to be attempting to clean himself and had his shorts pulled down. [WITNESS #1] advised the male was turned away from her, resulting in her observing his exposed buttocks. [WITNESS #1] stated she immediately entered the church without interacting with the male.

While I was still on scene, Corporal Wadkins advised over the radio that he had located a black male riding a bicycle at the intersection of Wheaton St. and Dundee St., approximately two blocks north of Hubert Middle School. Corporal Wadkins advised the male matched the description provided by the complainants, specifically a black male wearing colorful shorts and light-colored shoes and riding a bicycle.

I responded to that location and observed the male matching the description provided by [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #1]. Upon my arrival, the male appeared agitated while speaking with Corporal Wadkins and stated officers had no reason to stop him. When questioned about the incident, the male denied exposing himself and stated he had only been riding his bicycle in the area. The male was identified as Keith Richards.

Based on the consistent physical description of the suspect, the close proximity in time and location to the reported incidents, and the corroborating witness statements describing the male exposing himself and manipulating his shorts in a public place where his genitalia and buttocks were visible, I determined there was probable cause to believe Keith Richards had committed the offense of Public Indecency under O.C.G.A. 16-6-8.

Keith Richards was then placed under arrest. During a search incident to arrest conducted by Corporal Wadkins, a clear baggie containing a green leafy substance and a blue glass bowl commonly used to smoke marijuana were located on Richards’ person. The green leafy substance was weighed and measured approximately 3.0 grams. Based on my training and experience in narcotics identification, the substance was consistent in appearance and odor with marijuana. A field test of the substance was conducted; however, two separate tests were inconclusive at the time of testing. The substance will be submitted for additional testing.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, including the appearance, odor, packaging, and the presence of a blue glass bowl commonly used to smoke marijuana, I determined there was probable cause to charge Richards with Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce under O.C.G.A. 16-13-2(B).

Additionally, the blue glass bowl recovered from Richards’ person is commonly used to ingest marijuana by means of smoking. Based on my training and experience, items of this nature are commonly utilized for the introduction of controlled substances into the human body. Therefore, Richards was also charged with Possession of a Drug Related Object under O.C.G.A. 16-13-32.2.

I transported Richards to CCDC 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:

3/8/26

KEITH RICARDO RICHARDS ARRESTED — THREE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES FILED

What this means: Keith Ricardo Richards was taken into custody at 1:37 PM on March 8, 2026, in Chatham County. He is facing three misdemeanor charges: possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of a drug-related object, and indecent exposure (public indecency). These are the accusations against him — he has not been found guilty of anything at this stage.

3/9/26

FIRST APPEARANCE AND BOND HEARING HELD — BOND SET AT $3,000

What this means: Keith Ricardo Richards appeared before a judge at Chatham County Recorder’s Court on March 9, 2026. This is a standard early hearing where a judge reviews the arrest and sets the conditions for release. The judge set bond at $3,000, meaning Richards could be released from custody by paying that amount. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 8, 2026, at 8:45 AM in Courtroom 1B.

3/19/26

PUBLIC DEFENDER ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR KEITH RICARDO RICHARDS

What this means: On March 19, 2026, attorney Tina M. Hesse of the Chatham County Misdemeanor Defense Office formally entered the case as appointed counsel — meaning she was assigned to represent Keith Ricardo Richards at no cost to him. Her office is located at 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Suite 437, Savannah, GA. All future court filings and communications in case number RCCR26-05050 are to be directed to her. This is a routine step that ensures Richards has legal representation going forward.

7/1/26

MISDEMEANOR DOCKET HEARING SCHEDULED — OFFICER REQUIRED

What this means: A misdemeanor docket hearing is set for July 1, 2026, at 8:45 AM in Chatham County Recorder’s Court for case number RCCR26-05050. The notation “Officer Required” means the arresting or citing officer has been directed to appear at this hearing. Docket hearings are routine court dates used to check the status of a case and move it forward.

7/1/26

CASE DISPOSED — TWO COUNTS DROPPED, KEITH RICARDO RICHARDS PLEADS GUILTY TO PUBLIC INDECENCY

What this means: Keith Ricardo Richards appeared in Recorders Court of Chatham County on July 1, 2026, for a final disposition hearing in case number RCCR26-05050. The two drug-related charges — possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and possession of drug-related objects — were dismissed by the State through a nolle prosequi, meaning prosecutors chose not to pursue those counts further.

Richards pleaded guilty to the remaining charge of public indecency (first or second conviction) under O.C.G.A. 16-6-8(b). The court sentenced him to 12 months, with credit for time already served and the balance of the sentence suspended — meaning he will not have to serve anything further. As a condition of that sentence, Richards is banned from a specific location in Chatham County.