Johnathan Koetzle

Name:
Koetzle, Johnathan David

Date of Booking:
08/14/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
VGCSA SCH 1/2 NARCOTIC POSSESSION

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTES

SPEEDING

OPEN CONTAINER IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE IN OPERATION

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 the above date and time, I, Deputy V. Luong, was stationary on Interstate 85 southbound near mile marker 53 conducting speed enforcement. While monitoring southbound traffic, I observed a silver Honda Odyssey minivan traveling at a visually high rate of speed. I checked the vehicle traveling at 91 MPH in a posted 70 MPH zone on my front RAPTOR radar Serial RP39538.

I entered the interstate and proceeded southbound in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle. While doing so, I observed the Honda cross three lanes of traffic before traveling in the number four lane. I identified the vehicle bearing Ohio registration [REDACTED]. After catching up to the Honda, I again observed it traveling at approximately 87 MPH. I activated my emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop. After my emergency equipment was activated, the Honda failed to maintain its lane of travel, moving from the number four lane into the number three lane, where it continued for a short distance before eventually coming to a stop.

I approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as JONATHAN KOETZLE. I advised KOETZLE that the reason for the traffic stop was his speed and failure to maintain his lane. I asked KOETZLE why he continued traveling southbound after I activated my emergency equipment and why he failed to maintain his lane. KOETZLE stated that he had been using his cell phone to change the music. While speaking with KOETZLE, I observed that his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. I also detected a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. I asked KOETZLE to exit the Honda and walk back toward my patrol vehicle. As KOETZLE exited and walked toward my patrol vehicle, I observed him stumble and sway while walking.

Additional units arrived on scene to assist. Deputy M. Walker #107 asked KOETZLE if he would voluntarily submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. KOETZLE refused to participate in the evaluations. I returned to the Honda and observed open alcoholic beverage containers within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. I observed a 750 mL bottle of Jack Daniel’s, which was open and approximately half empty. I also observed an open one-pint bottle of Smirnoff positioned upside down on the right rear passenger floorboard.

The Smirnoff bottle was resting inside a Tupperware-style container, and liquid from the bottle appeared to have spilled and was soaking into a black jacket. Inside the same container, I observed a large quantity of green leafy plant substance mixed with stems. Based upon my knowledge, training, and experience, I recognized the substance as suspected raw marijuana.

Based upon the position of the open Smirnoff bottle upside down inside the container, the presence of liquid soaking into the black jacket, and the marijuana contained therein, I believed KOETZLE had attempted to empty the contents of the Smirnoff bottle into the container. Based upon my observations of open alcoholic beverage containers within the passenger compartment, I developed probable cause to search the vehicle for additional evidence related to the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. During the search, the suspected marijuana was seized. Inside of the glove box was a S&W SD9 Pistol bearing serial number ERD8650 which was also seized.

During the investigation, KOETZLE denied knowledge of the suspected marijuana and stated that it did not belong to him. The suspected marijuana was seized and will be submitted into evidence for identification and further testing. Throughout my interaction with KOETZLE, I continued to detect a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person.

Based upon the totality of the circumstances, including KOETZLE’s excessive speed, failure to maintain his lane, delayed response to my emergency equipment, slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, unsteady gait, stumbling and swaying while walking, odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person, the presence of open alcoholic beverage containers within the vehicle, his refusal to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, my observations, and the observations of Deputy Walker, I determined that probable cause existed to believe KOETZLE was under the influence of alcohol to the extent that he was a less safe driver. KOETZLE was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI – Less Safe.

Immediately following his arrest, I read KOETZLE the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over and requested that he submit to the state-administered blood test. KOETZLE refused the requested test. Based upon the above facts and observations, I applied for a search warrant authorizing the collection of a sample of KOETZLE’s blood. The search warrant was subsequently approved and signed by Superior Court Judge J. Wyant.

Coweta County Fire Rescue responded to assist with the execution of the blood search warrant at the jail. Paramedics attempted to obtain the court-authorized blood sample at approximately 0445 am from KOETZLE. During the attempted blood draw, KOETZLE became irate, yelled, and continuously moved, preventing paramedics from successfully obtaining a blood sample. Paramedics made two attempts to obtain the sample; however, both attempts were unsuccessful due to KOETZLE’s continued movement and behavior. During this time, KOETZLE’s demeanor fluctuated. KOETZLE would calm down and communicate normally for a period of time before becoming irate and yelling at the paramedics.

Based upon the totality of the circumstances KOETZLE was cited and charged with the following offenses:

• OCGA 40-6-391(a)(1) – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Less Safe
• OCGA 40-6-181 – Speeding
• OCGA 40-6-253 – Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage
• OCGA 16-13-30(j) – Possession of Marijuana, More Than One Ounce
• OCGA 16-11-106 – Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

KOETZLE was turned over to jail staff without incident. KOETZLE’s vehicle was removed from the scene by Southside Towing.

[End of Narrative]