Tanesha McDowell

Name:
McDowell, Tanesha Lauren

Date of Booking:
08/09/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

IMPROPER TURN (SIGNALS REQUIRED)

RESISTING, INTERFERING WITH OFFICERS

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 08/09/2026 at approximately 02:26am, I (Ofc M Smith) was stopped at a red light at the intersection of E Broad St at E Court Sq, Newnan, GA 30263 when I observed a red Hyundai Elantra make an abrupt turn from W Court Sq onto S Court Sq. I observed as the vehicle rapidly approached the intersection before hard braking before making the turn. While completing the turn, I observed that the vehicle turned onto S Court Sq where it was partially occupying both lanes of travel.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of S Court Sq at E Court Sq, the traffic signal turned green so I remained stopped to allow the vehicle to continue ahead of me so I could initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle then came to a stop and sat through the full green light rotation until the light changed to red again. After the light changed back to green, the vehicle continued to sit at the intersection and began to blow their horn, signaling for me to go ahead of them. I remained stopped until the vehicle continued to make their turn onto E Court Sq. After making the turn, the vehicle immediately turned into a parking space in a manner that left the vehicle sitting all the way against the curb with the driver’s side front tire sitting on the parking line.

I activated my flashing blue and red lights and stopped behind the vehicle. I then made contact with the driver, identified as Tanesha Mcdowell, and advised her of the reason for the stop. While speaking with Mcdowell, I noted that she had glassy eyes and was very agitated. Due to the suspicion of impairment, I advised Mcdowell to step out of her vehicle to which she replied “I’m not getting out my vehicle”. I again advised Mcdowell to step out of her vehicle and she replied “like I said, I’m not getting out my car”.

After advising Mcdowell an additional three times to exit her vehicle, I clarified that was not asking her to exit, and again told her to exit her vehicle. I then advised Mcdowell three more times to exit her vehicle before I told her the she could exit the vehicle or I would have to remove her from the vehicle. After telling Mcdowell several more times, I attempted to open the door from the outside handle but the door was locked. I then advised Mcdowell several more times to exit the vehicle before I reached into the vehicle to unlock the vehicle from the inside and open the door.

After getting the door open, I took Mcdowell’s wrist and advised her several more times to exit her vehicle before she stood up out of the vehicle. I then advised Mcdowell to turn around and attempted to pull her arm behind her back when she began to pull her arm away from me and walk around me to avoid placing her hands behind her back. As Mcdowell attempted to pull away from me, I pushed her onto the side of her vehicle and pulled both of her hands behind her back as she actively attempted to pull her hands away from me. This continued briefly until I was able to place Mcdowell in handcuffs that were behind her back and double locked after checking fit.

Once in handcuffs, I had Mcdowell sit on the front bumper of my vehicle where I read her the Miranda Warning. After reading the warning, Mcdowell agreed to speak to me. I asked Mcdowell if she had anything to drink before operating her vehicle and she advised that she did not. I asked Mcdowell if she smoked anything before driving and she advised that she did smoke approximately 2 to 3 hours before driving.

I then retrieved my Portable Breath Tester (PBT) from my patrol vehicle and asked Mcdowell if she would be willing to provide a breath sample for a preliminary breath test and she agreed to do so. After providing a breath sample, the PBT gave a positive response for the presence of alcohol, with a given Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC) of 0.126 g/210L.

After completing the preliminary breath test, Ofc S Baez completed a search of Mcdowell, incident to arrest, and Mcdowell was placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle with her safety belt fastened. After getting Mcdowell in the patrol vehicle, I read Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over and requested a breath sample which Mcdowell refused to provide. I, again, read Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over and requested a blood test but Mcdowell refused to answer. I advised Mcdowell that anything other than a yes would be accepted as a refusal and Mcdowell again refused to answer the question.

After securing Mcdowell in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle, I conducted a search for a source of intoxicants when I located an open “Buzz Ball Biggies” container (15% ABV) in the passenger seat. An additional tumbler was in the cup holder that had a blue liquid, consistent with the alcoholic beverage in the passenger seat, that still had ice and was partially filled.

Mcdowell was then transported to Coweta County Jail. While at the jail, I completed citations for DUI- Alcohol, NPD- Resisting or Interfering with Officers, Improper Turn, and Open Container in Passenger Are of vehicle. I also completed a DDS-1205 form and retained Mcdowell’s driver’s license which was submitted to be returned to the state. After completing the necessary paperwork, Mcdowell was turned over to booking staff. Mcdowell’s vehicle was removed from the scene by Baxter and Son’s Towing. The rear seat of my patrol vehicle was checked before and after transport and found to be free of any contraband.

[End of Narrative]