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Name:
Groce, Roderick Dontrell
Date of Booking:
02/24/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE-SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION OR PRIOR FORCIBLE FELONY CONVICTION – M
FALSE IMPRISONMENT – F
CRIMINAL TRESPASS – FAMILY VIOLENCE – M
OBSTRUCTING OR HINDERING PERSONS MAKING EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALL – 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 February 24th, 2026, I, Officer Schaff, responded to the address of [800 BLOCK] West 39th Street in regards to a domestic incident between a male and female. I arrived shortly after in a marked Savannah Police patrol SUV.
Upon arrival, I began speaking with the female who was determined to be the victim of the domestic altercation and identified her as [VICTIM #1] ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1984). Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the man who she named, RODERICK GROCE ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1980) choked and strangled her inside of their home. She followed up by saying they have been living together since January.
After running Mr. Groce’s information into NCIC/GCIC, I received results showing he was on active probation. She advised it started as verbal argument due to Mr. Groce wanting her to sleep with him, to which she said she did not want to. The two became argumentative and overall increased into what Ms. [VICTIM #1] described as a screaming match.
Soon after, Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised that she was cornered near the back door of the residence and pushed into the corner wall, while being choked by Mr. Groce. She stated that he choked her with both hands and also poked her in the eye. Noting that I observed visible red marks around her neck as well as what appeared to be a popped blood vessel in her left eye. Photos of the injuries were uploaded via Evidence.com.
Mr. [VICTIM #1] claimed in order to prevent being choked unconscious, she lifted her knee and her arms and pressed into Mr. Groce to ultimately create distance between them. She stated that she went to the truck outside the front of the address and closed the door. In response, Mr. Groce followed and began breaking pieces of the truck. I observed the door handle completely ripped off and the actual handle on the grass next to the vehicle. The damaged vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Silverado (GA: [REDACTED]).
I asked Ms. [VICTIM #1] a series of questions from the Domestic Violence Lethality Report. It will be submitted as a supplemental report.
I contacted Sgt. Sameulls and advised him of the incident. He arrived on scene and was able to get in contact with a DV detective.
Family violence detectives arrived on scene shortly after. After speaking with detectives, we once again entered the residence through the back door. An unknown white male was sleeping underneath a blanket but refused to speak or give any information to officers.
Other units canvassed for Mr. Groce after Ms. [VICTIM #1] gave a description of a “bald man, heavier set, blue jeans, white t-shirt, and a black hoodie”. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised that he could possibly be walking north on Burroughs towards West 34th Street. After units canvassed thoroughly, Mr. Groce was not located.
I gave Ms. [VICTIM #1] a CRN card and explained that she could ultimately go to a safe shelter if she wished to avoid any further altercations. She denied saying she would stay with her auntie who was on scene.
[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:
2/24/26
RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE ARRESTED AND BOOKED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES
What this means: Roderick Dontrell Groce was arrested in Chatham County on February 24, 2026, at 5:54 AM and booked under CRN 260224008. Groce is accused of Aggravated Assault (Family Violence), Battery (Family Violence — with a prior conviction or forcible felony conviction), False Imprisonment, Criminal Trespass (Family Violence), and Obstructing or Hindering a Person Making an Emergency Telephone Call. These are serious charges — two of them (Aggravated Assault and False Imprisonment) are felonies, and the remaining three are misdemeanors. No guilt has been established; these are accusations only.
2/25/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HELD — NO BOND SET FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: Roderick Dontrell Groce appeared before the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County on February 25, 2026, for his first appearance hearing, held at 1:30 PM. At a first appearance, a judge reviews the arrest, informs the defendant of the charges, and addresses bond. Groce requested a court-appointed attorney, indicating he could not afford to hire one on his own. Judge Crystal Denise Harmon — with Willie Yancey also noted — ordered that Groce be denied bond. Groce was ordered held without bond pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-6-1(a). The bond order was issued on February 25, 2026, in Courtroom 1B at the Chatham County Courthouse. Additionally, the First Appearance/Waiver Form notes a referral to a 28-day Drug Treatment Program. A court hearing was scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 1B.
2/26/26
BOND DENIED — JUDGE WILLIE YANCEY SIGNS BOND ORDER FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: On February 26, 2026, Judge Willie Yancey formally signed the bond order in Roderick Dontrell Groce’s case, officially denying bond. This confirms the no-bond determination that was made at Groce’s first appearance the day prior. Groce remained held in custody without the option to post bail while his case moved forward.
3/23/26
FELONY DOCKET HEARING SCHEDULED — OFFICER REQUIRED
What this means: A felony docket hearing in Roderick Dontrell Groce’s case was scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. A docket hearing is a scheduled court date where the judge reviews the status of the case and determines next steps — such as whether the case should be bound over to a grand jury for indictment. The notation that an officer was required indicates that the arresting or investigating officer was expected to be present. This hearing was set at the time of Groce’s first appearance.
3/23/26
OBSTRUCTION CHARGE DISMISSED — CASE BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: At the March 23, 2026 felony docket hearing in Recorder’s Court, the charge of Obstructing or Hindering a Person Making an Emergency Telephone Call was dismissed by the court due to a finding of no probable cause, meaning the court determined there was insufficient evidence to support that charge moving forward. The remaining charges against Roderick Dontrell Groce — Aggravated Assault (Family Violence), Battery (Family Violence), False Imprisonment, and Criminal Trespass (Family Violence) — were bound over to Chatham County Superior Court. “Bound over” means the Recorder’s Court determined there was enough evidence on those charges to send the case up to a higher court, where felony cases are formally prosecuted. No guilt has been established; these remain accusations.
4/1/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: On April 1, 2026, attorney Channa Childs of the Chatham County Office of the Public Defender formally filed an Entry of Appearance in the Superior Court of Chatham County, notifying the court that she would be representing Roderick Dontrell Groce in case number SPCR26-00877-J3. This is a standard filing that officially places defense counsel on record. A copy was served to the Office of the District Attorney, Eastern Judicial Circuit, at 133 Montgomery Street, Suite 600, Savannah, GA 31402.
5/20/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 4 COUNTS FILED AGAINST RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A Chatham County grand jury formally indicted Roderick Dontrell Groce on May 20, 2026, in the Superior Court of Chatham County, case number SPCR26-00877-J3. The grand jury returned a “True Bill,” meaning they found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. The indictment was filed in open court on May 20, 2026. District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Jones of the Eastern Judicial Circuit represent the State. The four counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges Roderick Dontrell Groce with Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21. Groce is accused of making an assault upon the victim on or about February 24, 2026, by placing his hands around the victim’s neck and applying pressure — conduct that, when used offensively against a person, is likely to result in serious bodily injury. The alleged offense occurred in the same household as the victim, and the two are not siblings.
Count 2 charges Roderick Dontrell Groce with False Imprisonment under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-41. Groce is accused of unlawfully confining the victim without legal authority on or about February 24, 2026, in Chatham County.
Count 3 charges Roderick Dontrell Groce with Battery under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1. Groce is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm to the victim on or about February 24, 2026, specifically by damaging the victim’s eye.
Count 4 charges Roderick Dontrell Groce with Criminal Trespass under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21(a). Groce is accused of intentionally damaging a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck — the property of another person — without that person’s consent, by breaking a door handle, with the damage alleged to be less than $500.00, on or about February 24, 2026.
No guilt has been established. These are accusations only.
5/21/26
DEFENDANT ELECTS TO PROCEED UNDER GEORGIA’S DISCOVERY STATUTE
What this means: On May 21, 2026, defense attorney Channa Childs filed a Defendant’s Election to Proceed Under O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1 et seq. on behalf of Roderick Dontrell Groce in the Superior Court of Chatham County. This filing means Groce has formally chosen to participate in the state’s statutory discovery process — a legal procedure that allows both sides to share evidence with each other before trial. By electing into this process, the defense gains access to the State’s evidence but also takes on certain obligations to share its own evidence in return. A copy was hand-delivered to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.
5/21/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO RESERVE RIGHT TO FILE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS
What this means: Also on May 21, 2026, attorney Channa Childs filed a Motion to Reserve the Right to File Additional Motions on behalf of Roderick Dontrell Groce in case number SPCR26-00877-J3. The defense cited the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section I, Paragraph I of the Georgia Constitution. The motion notes that informal discovery is ongoing and incomplete, and that the complexity of the charges may require additional motions as more materials are reviewed. The defense is asking the court to keep that option open and to require that all hearings be recorded by a certified court reporter.
6/8/26
CONSENT ORDER GRANTS BOND FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: On June 8, 2026, Judge Lisa Goldwire Colbert of the Superior Court of Chatham County, Eastern Judicial Circuit, signed a Consent Order granting Roderick Dontrell Groce a bond of $1,000.00 in case number SPCR26-00877-J3. This order was agreed to by both defense attorney Channa Childs and ADA Kevin Jones of the District Attorney’s Office. Groce had been held without bond since his arrest in February. With this order, Groce may be released from the Chatham County Detention Center upon posting the bond, subject to the following conditions:
1. Groce must keep his address up to date with the Clerk of Superior Court at (912) 434-8920. 2. Groce shall have no violent contact of any kind or character with the victim. 3. Groce shall possess no firearms, ammunition, or offensive weapons. 4. Groce shall abide by all local, state, and federal laws. 5. Groce must complete a Family Violence Intervention Course. 6. Groce must appear for all future court appearances in this case.
Violation of any of these conditions may result in the bond being revoked and a warrant issued for Groce’s arrest.
6/23/26
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING HELD FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: Roderick Dontrell Groce appeared for an arraignment hearing on June 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Superior Court of Chatham County. At an arraignment, the defendant is formally informed of the charges in the indictment and asked to enter a plea — guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest). The specific outcome of this hearing is not detailed in the update provided.
6/23/26
STATE FILES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY
What this means: On June 23, 2026, the State’s Attorney’s Office filed a Discovery Disclosure and Demand for Reciprocal Discovery in Roderick Dontrell Groce’s case. This filing means the prosecution has provided its evidence to the defense and is also requesting that the defense share any evidence it intends to use at trial. Discovery is the legal process by which both sides exchange information before trial so that neither side is surprised at trial.
6/23/26
RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE PLEADS NOT GUILTY AT ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: On June 23, 2026, Roderick Dontrell Groce appeared in open court in the Superior Court of Chatham County and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges in case number SPCR26-00877-J3. His signature and that of defense attorney Channa Childs appear on the indictment form confirming the plea. A not guilty plea means Groce is contesting the charges and the case will continue moving toward trial. The indictment also reflects that a Savannah Police Department officer is listed as a witness for the State.
7/6/26
PLEA HEARING AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A plea hearing and arraignment hearing for Roderick Dontrell Groce has been scheduled for July 6, 2026, at 9:02 AM in the Superior Court of Chatham County. At this hearing, Groce will have the opportunity to enter a plea to the charges in the indictment. Depending on what plea is entered, the case may proceed toward trial or toward sentencing.
8/21/26
TRIAL DOCKET CALL SCHEDULED FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A trial docket call for Roderick Dontrell Groce has been scheduled for August 21, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Superior Court of Chatham County. A docket call is a brief court appearance where the judge confirms that both sides are ready to proceed to trial, addresses any last-minute issues, and sets the trial date if it has not already been set. This assumes the case has not been resolved by plea agreement before that date.
9/28/26
PLEA HEARING AND ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A plea hearing and arraignment for Roderick Dontrell Groce has been scheduled for September 28, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Superior Court of Chatham County. At this hearing, Groce will have the opportunity to enter or modify a plea to the charges. Depending on the outcome, the case may proceed to trial or toward resolution.
11/6/26
PRETRIAL HEARING AND ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A pretrial hearing and arraignment for Roderick Dontrell Groce has been scheduled for November 6, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Superior Court of Chatham County. A pretrial hearing allows the judge and attorneys to address any remaining issues before trial — such as motions, discovery disputes, or plea negotiations. This hearing was scheduled after the September 28, 2026 plea hearing date.
1/11/27
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR RODERICK DONTRELL GROCE
What this means: A jury trial for Roderick Dontrell Groce has been scheduled for January 11, 2027, at 9:30 AM in the Superior Court of Chatham County, case number SPCR26-00877-J3. At trial, a jury will hear evidence from both the prosecution and defense and determine whether Groce is guilty or not guilty of the charges in the indictment — Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment, Battery, and Criminal Trespass. This trial date was set following the pretrial hearing scheduled for November 6, 2026.