Keith Diehl

Name:
Diehl, Keith Francis

Date of Booking:
06/30/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS

SEXUAL BATTERY – MISDEMEANOR

FALSE IMPRISONMENT

SIMPLE BATTERY

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS – MISDEMEANOR

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 July 1, 2025, I was dispatched to the area of 6184 Highway 21 South in reference to a report of a suspicious person. While in route, Effingham County Dispatch updated the report by saying that the male followed a female into the bathroom and shut the door and was currently trying to leave by getting into the back of grey pickup truck. Upon my arrival, I observed a grey pickup truck parked in the lot of the Waffle House. A white male exited the vehicle and began walking toward the Enmarket gas station, which is located adjacent to the Waffle House.

A second male, later identified as Kenneth Diehl, also exited the vehicle and pointed toward the first male, who was walking in the direction of my patrol vehicle. Because of the allegation on initial dispatch and the male attempting to leave the scene with Kenneth Diehl pointing at him, I attempted to make contact with the male leaving the scene and gave him verbal commands to stop and return to the Waffle House parking lot. The subject refused to comply and stated, “Nah I’m good, I’m going to keep walking.” I then told the subject again to stop, to which he then stopped.

Upon exiting my patrol vehicle, I attempted to identify the individual, who repeatedly refused to provide his name or any form of identification. When asked to explain the situation, the subject responded, “What crimes have I committed?” and “I don’t have to identify myself.” Because of his biligerent demeanor, use of profanity, (“fu*k you”, “fu*k you bi*ch”) while speaking loudly and repetively, and talking over me while I was trying to explain why I was present and wanted him to stop, I was unable to give him the answers to his questions.

Due to the subject’s refusal to comply with lawful commands and to ascertain his identity and involvement in the initial complaint as well as his attempt to leave the scene, I proceeded to detain him in handcuffs. During the detention process, the subject refused to place his hands behind his back despite multiple commands to do so. On the third attempt, I was able to secure on of his hands in a handcuff, however, he attempted to pull his right arm away and turn his body in the opposite direction still attempting to resist detention. I was eventually able to secure both of his hands in handcuffs and he was placed into the rear seat of my patrol vehicle.

The subject was subsequently identified as Keith Diehl. During my initial contact, I observed that Mr. Diehl exhibited signs of impairment, including glassy eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. Mr. Diehl was unsteady on his feet and was observed swaying while standing. Throughout the encounter, Mr. Diehl was verbally combative and used profane and derogatory language, including statements such as “fu*k you,” “fu*k you bi*ch,” and “I don’t have to do sh*t.” His behavior was disorderly and biligerent in nature towards myself and other Deputy’s/Officers on scene. Mr. Diehl was secured in the back of my patrol car while I attempted to make contact with the complainant and victims.

The victims involved were identified as Ms. [VICTIM #1], and Ms. [VICTIM #2]. Ms. [VICTIM #1] was a customer dining in, while Ms. [VICTIM #2] is an employee at Waffle House.

Ms. [VICTIM #2] advised that Mr. Diehl is a regular customer and that she has experienced prior inappropriate behavior from him. On this date, Ms. [VICTIM #2] reported that Mr. Diehl asked if he could see her hair. Without her consent, he then reached out, grabbed her braided ponytail, and pulled her closer to him. Mr. Diehl also grabbed Ms. [VICTIM #2]’s hand in an apparent attempt to pull her toward him again.

Ms. [VICTIM #2] stated that Mr. Diehl asked her to accompany him outside. She responded by telling Mr. Diehl that he was not permitted to touch her or make inappropriate remarks. She further stated that she warned Mr. Diehl that she would hit him if his behavior continued, to which he replied, “It might be worth it.”

In addition to her own encounter, Ms. [VICTIM #2] reported overhearing another female, later identified as Ms. [VICTIM #1], discussing a separate incident involving unwanted contact. Ms. [VICTIM #2] approached Ms. [VICTIM #1] to ask if she was okay. Ms. [VICTIM #1] disclosed that she had been locked in the restroom by a male subject, whom Ms. [VICTIM #2] confirmed was Mr. Diehl, based on Ms. [VICTIM #1]’s description and the timeline of events.

During the investigation, I made contact with Ms. [VICTIM #1], who was identified as a customer present inside the Waffle House at the time of the incident. Ms. [VICTIM #1] provided a voluntary statement detailing an encounter with the suspect, Mr. Keith Diehl. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she entered the women’s restroom inside the establishment, and shortly thereafter, Mr. Diehl followed her into the restroom and locked the door behind him. While she was standing at the sink, Mr. Diehl approached her and questioned why she had not responded to him outside. He then stated that he “wanted to see more of her.”

Ms. [VICTIM #1] reported that she verbally expressed her discomfort and referenced Mr. Diehl’s inappropriate behavior toward a Waffle House employee, later identified as Ms. [VICTIM #2]. In response, Mr. Diehl allegedly told Ms. [VICTIM #1] that he could show her that he would treat her better. Ms. [VICTIM #1] then directed Mr. Diehl to leave the restroom immediately. According to Ms. [VICTIM #1], Mr. Diehl refused to comply and instead pressed his body against hers, forcing her into the wall. She advised that she repeatedly told him to stop. Mr. Diehl then reportedly reached under the back of her shorts and grabbed her buttocks. Ms. [VICTIM #1] attempted to push Mr. Diehl away and remove his hand. He then used his other hand to reach into the front of her shorts, where he made physical contact with her vag*nal area.

Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she was able to remove Mr. Diehl’s hands and attempted to distance herself from him. Mr. Diehl then allegedly placed one hand around her neck, pinning her against the wall once again, and attempted to kiss her on the lips and neck. Ms. [VICTIM #1] was eventually able to shove Mr. Diehl away from her. As she attempted to exit the restroom, Mr. Diehl positioned himself in front of the door, preventing her from leaving. Ms. [VICTIM #1] told him, “You need to move, I have children out in the dining area.” She then physically pushed past Mr. Diehl in order to exit the restroom. As she did so, Mr. Diehl reportedly made the statement, “Once we get out of the dining area, I’ll get you before you leave.”

Ms. [VICTIM #1] and Ms. [VICTIM #2] both appeared visibly upset and distraught by the actions of Mr. Diehl while providing their statements. Furthermore, Ms. [VICTIM #1] mentioned that Mr. Diehl also made a comment in regards to her 12-year -old daughters clothing. Stating that Mr. Diehl said “those shorts are short, but they could be shorter.”

At this time, Mr. Diehl was placed under arrest for Public Drunkenness, Sexual Battery against Ms. [VICTIM #1], False Imprisonment against Ms. [VICTIM #1], Simple Battery against Ms. [VICTIM #2], and Obstruction. Mr. Diehl was then transported to ECSO jail for booking. Both Ms. [VICTIM #2] and Ms. [VICTIM #1] were also provided with a CRN number and information for obtaining a copy of this report.

[End of Narrative]