Cheri McCormick

Name:
McCormick, Cheri

Date of Booking:
05/21/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

BATTERY

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 5/4/2025 at approximately 9:30 PM, I was dispatched to a domestic dispute located at 1400 Fields Chapel Road. Dispatch advised there were 2 females on scene and one of the females was choking out the other. While en-route, dispatch advised the caller’s boyfriend was able to separate the two females. Dispatch also advised one of the females left the scene and the other was chasing them.

Upon my arrival, I met with [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #1] stated the two females, Cheri McCormick and [VICTIM #1], were fighting each other at the lot next to them. [WITNESS #1] advised Cheri was on top of [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #1] was saying help and that she could not breathe. [WITNESS #2] stated she also heard [VICTIM #1] saying she was being choked and she could not breathe. As I was speaking to [WITNESS #1], I shined my flashlight towards the exit of the lot and observed a woman sitting on the park bench close to the main road. I approached the woman, identified as Cheri, and asked her why deputies were out there.

Cheri stated she and her lifetime friend [VICTIM #1] came out to the campsite to camp. Cheri stated she and [VICTIM #1] were leaving tonight and they “got into it”. I asked how so, to which Cheri stated she was trying to pack the car. I asked what the fight was about, to which she said she did not know. I asked why Cheri was wet, to which she said “that is a really good question”. Cheri then stated she went to go sit in the water and chill. I asked what happened between the removing things from the car to Cheri getting in the water, to which Cheri stated both she and [VICTIM #1] were physical with each other. Cheri stated there was a bit of a physical altercation. I attempted to ask follow up questions, to which Cheri stated she did not want to get [VICTIM #1] in trouble. I asked where Cheri’s vehicle was, to which she said she rode with [VICTIM #1]. I asked Cheri if she and [VICTIM #1] had ever lived together, to which she said here and there. I asked Cheri if [VICTIM #1] was physical with her, to which she said she did not want [VICTIM #1] to get in trouble. Cheri stated she and [VICTIM #1] were wrestling on the ground for a majority of the time. I asked Cheri if she wanted to press charges if such charges arise during the investigation, to which she said no.

I then went to attempt to speak with [VICTIM #1]. I called [VICTIM #1]’s phone number 3 times, to which she answered on the third time. [VICTIM #1] stated she was not good, to which I advised I was calling to investigate what happened at Sweetwater Campground. [VICTIM #1] stated “she tried to kill me”. I asked how so, to which [VICTIM #1] stated she, referring to Cheri, was choking her while holding her nose and mouth. I asked where she was, to which [VICTIM #1] said she was just about home near Dalton, Georgia. I asked if she had any red marks on her face or neck, to which she said definitely. I asked [VICTIM #1] if she was able to turn around, to which she said no because she was traumatized. I asked if she and Cheri had ever lived together, to which she said never. I asked [VICTIM #1] if she would like to press charges against Chari if probable cause existed, to which [VICTIM #1] stated “I think so”. I advised [VICTIM #1] I needed a yes or no answer, to which she said she was in shock right now and she did not know what to do. I advised it would have to be one hundred percent her decision in whether or not to press charges. [VICTIM #1] stated she wanted to get home and speak with her husband.

I advised [VICTIM #1] she could come to the Cherokee County Courthouse and go in front of a judge to get her own warrant against Cheri if she changed her mind. [VICTIM #1] stated she just wanted to calm down, but was convinced Cheri was tying to kill her. [VICTIM #1] stated before Cheri grabbed her nose and mouth, [VICTIM #1] was calling for help. I asked [VICTIM #1] if she was being choked, to which she said Cheri had her hand around [VICTIM #1]’s neck and could not speak. I reassured [VICTIM #1] stating she did not need to make a decision regarding pressing charges on [VICTIM #1] and she could go home and settle down and think before making the decision. I advised [VICTIM #1] I had her green leather purse and a red wallet that was her property. I asked how she would like to get her property, to which she said she was going to get with her husband to try and figure out how to get it. I advised I would hold onto the property until she figured out a way to get it, but if she could not come and get the purse and wallet by 5:00 AM, I would have to place her items into property and evidence for safe keeping and she would have to go through evidence to get them back. I provided [VICTIM #1] with the phone number to Cherokee County Dispatch and advised her to call the number if she decided to get her property.

I then went back to Cheri and provided her a case number. Cheri advised she called a family member to come and pick her up from the campground.

Later tonight, I received a phone call request from [VICTIM #1] requesting the place to meet to get her belongings. I advised I would meet her at the Sheriff’s Office Waleska precinct on Fincher Road to give her belongings back.

At approximately 12:20 AM on 5/5/2025, I met with [VICTIM #1] at the Waleska precinct to return her items. Upon [VICTIM #1] getting out of her vehicle, I observed [VICTIM #1]’s [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to be black. I asked if that injury was from the domestic tonight, to which she said yes. [VICTIM #1] also stated Cheri bit her [REDACTED BY AGENCY], to which she showed me. I observed a [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I asked [VICTIM #1] if it would be okay for her to come into the precinct so I may take photos of her injuries, to which she said that would be okay. I took her into the Waleksa precinct and took photos of her injuries. While taking photos, [VICTIM #1] complained of soreness.

I asked [VICTIM #1] what caused the dispute tonight. [VICTIM #1] stated things were going smoothly until Cheri started to be mouthy while putting stuff in the car. [VICTIM #1] stated she had to take stuff out of the car because the car had to be packed appropriately. [VICTIM #1] stated Cheri continued to be mouthy and getting upset at [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated Cheri then got into the front passenger seat of the car. [VICTIM #1] stated Cheri allegedly drank a bunch of vodka by herself without [VICTIM #1] knowing. [VICTIM #1] stated Cheri mentioned [VICTIM #1]’s special-needs son, to which [VICTIM #1] stated she would not tolerate Cheri saying that. [VICTIM #1] continued to say she did not feel safe with Cheri around or in her car.

I provided [VICTIM #1] with a case number of this incident. I advised [VICTIM #1] I was going to write a report regardless of her decision as she can use the report in court if she decides to go secure a warrant at a later date. [VICTIM #1] advised Cheri was currently texting her and [VICTIM #1]’s husband. [VICTIM #1] was advised to tell Cheri to stop contacting her and her husband. I also advised [VICTIM #1] she could send photos of any developed injuries as long as they were appropriate to my email address and I would add them to the case folder.

I asked how long [VICTIM #1] and Cheri were out there, to which she said both of them got there on Friday night (5/2/2025) and were supposed to leave tonight.

While questioning [VICTIM #1] about the incident at the Waleska precinct, [VICTIM #1] did not mention anything about her changing her mind regarding pressing charges on Cheri.

[End of Narrative]