Earl Thornton

Name:
Thornton, Earl

Date of Booking:
02/01/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DISORDERLY CONDUCT

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 1st, 2026, at approximately 1841 hours, I, Deputy David Spurgeon, responded to [2700 BLOCK] Lakeside Way, in reference to Disorderly Conduct.

Upon arrival, I spoke with [VICTIM #1], Branch Director of Southern Living America, a rehabilation company. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had someone attending their program that was drunk and had been disorderly for several minutes and refused to leave the premises after being asked several times. [VICTIM #1] identified the male as Earl Thornton who was inside the apartment that was hosting the program.

I then made contact with Earl, asking him what was going on. It was immediately apparent that Earl was intoxicated as he attempted to approach me very closely, stumbling and had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

I then asked Earl to step back and have a seat and asked for his identification. Earl continued to get up and walk around, unable to follow simple instructions as I attempted to keep him seated while I inquired what had transpired before my arrival. Earl kept getting loud, calling [VICTIM #1] and others racist, using profanity and seemed to be generally rude and disrepecful to those around him with other members present for their rehabilitation program.

I then advised Earl that he was told to leave and that he needed to gather his belongings and leave the apartment. According to [VICTIM #1], Earl had been attending the program for approximately 1 week and stayed at the facility during that time but did not reside at the apartment.

While waiting for Earl to gather his belongings, he continuously made and answered phone calls, stopping all progress from gathering his belongings and spoke very loudly, using profanity towards unknown persons around him, being generally disruptive without any provocation whatsoever. I then advised Earl that he would have approximately 5 minutes to gather his belongings as he would continuously stop to delay the process from him leaving. Earl then revisited his belongings, throwing shoes and other objects aimlessly, posing a potential harm to property.

After several minutes passed, I gave Earl multiple opportunities to continue gathering what he needed but Earl continued to be deliberately disruptful, scoffing at my requests for him to get his belongings, getting loud and using profanity. I determined at this time that Earl was going to continue to delay progress and placed him in custody, advising him that he was under arrest for Disorderly Conduct.

I then placed Earl in handcuffs, checking each cuff for tightness. Deputy Daniel (147), who was present with me on scene, double locked each cuff. I then conducted a search incident to arrest, locating only two miniature bottles of Fireball whiskey in his pants pocket and no contraband. Deputy Daniel then assisted me in escorting Earl to my marked patrol car, where he was placed in the rear of my vehicle and secured in a seatbelt. Two phones belonging to Earl were gathered and brought with him during transport.

I then returned to the residence where I provided [VICTIM #1] with a case card and asked if she wanted Earl trespassed from the property. [VICTIM #1] advised that she did want Earl trespassed but acknowledged that he would need to return to gather the rest of his belongings.

I advised Earl that he was trespassed from the property and was advised him of the guardline. I then transported Earl to the Coweta County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff without incident.

[End of Narrative]