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Name:
France, Charles E
Date of Booking:
06/01/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-CHILD LESS THAN 18YOA PRESENT/HEARS ACT/COMMITS FORCIBLE FEL/BATT/FV BATT-3RD DEGREE
Aggravated Assault – 2 counts
FALSE IMPRISONMENT
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 date and times listed I PFC World was dispatched to [REDACTED] in reference to a domestic altercation.
Upon arrival I was met at the driveway by Charles France, he advised he had been in a argument with his girlfriend [VICTIM #1]. Charles advised that while doing so [VICTIM #1]’s daughter ([VICTIM #2]) and niece ([VICTIM #3]) came in the room and inserted themselves in the situation. Charles advised that they had no business getting into his and [VICTIM #1] information, Charles seemed to have no regrets for whatever may have happened and seemed to only be upset due to [VICTIM #3] and [VICTIM #2] intervening.
I then spoke with [VICTIM #1] who advised that she had just returned home from work and Charles was in an argumentative mood. [VICTIM #1] advised Charles was upset because Charles had went through her phone and believed her to be cheating. [VICTIM #1] advised Charles grabbed her arm and shoulder and would not allow her to leave the room when ever he was arguing with her. [VICTIM #1] advised while this was going on [VICTIM #3] and [VICTIM #2] came to try and help separate her from the situation. [VICTIM #1] advised this incident caused her pain and immense fear, she advised when her rdaughter and niece attempted to help Charles grabbed them by the necks and began strangling them.
I then spoke with [VICTIM #3] who advised she heard Charles yelling and arguing and went to see what the issue was and saw Charles pulling on her aunt [VICTIM #1] and not allowing her to exit the residence. [VICTIM #3] advised she attempted to intervene and deescalate the situation, [VICTIM #3] then advised she saw Charles grab [VICTIM #2] by the neck with one hand and began strangling her and had a evil look in his eyes. [VICTIM #3] advised this scared he, [VICTIM #3] then advised she was grabbed in the same manner and was in fear for her life.
[VICTIM #3] advised she had the incident on video, I watched the video and could see Charles grabbing and pulling [VICTIM #1] into the room and [VICTIM #3] and [VICTIM #2] yelling and trying to grab [VICTIM #1] and pull her away from Charles control. The video did not show the strangulation but due to the information given and gathered and it’s accuracy the statements involving the strangulation seemed to reasonable due to the video and exact testimony of events from all parties.
I then spoke to [VICTIM #4] who is 10 yrs old, he advised Charles was yelling and pulling [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #4] advised [VICTIM #3] and [VICTIM #2] attempted to help separate every one and Charles grabbed them by their necks. [VICTIM #4] advised he was scared because Charles was being aggressive with everyone.
I then spoke to [VICTIM #2] who advised that she was making food when she heard Charles begin to yell and argue with [VICTIM #1] so she approached the door and listen to make sure everything was ok. [VICTIM #2] advised that Charles was mad because he believed [VICTIM #1] to be cheating because he searched her phone.
[VICTIM #2] advised she then attempted to step in and help her mother and Charles became more irate and yelling, this caused [VICTIM #3] to come and they both attempted to pull [VICTIM #1] away. [VICTIM #2] advised Charles then grabbed her by the neck with one hand and squeezed resticting her airflow, [VICTIM #2] advised the look in his eyes had her in fear that he would kill her. [VICTIM #2] advised the same incident happened to [VICTIM #3].
Charles was placed under arrest handcuffs checked for proper fit before double locking. He was then searched and placed in the back of my marked patrol vehicle and transported to the jail and booked.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
8/7/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 6 COUNTS FILED AGAINST CHARLES E FRANCE
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury formally charged Charles E France with six counts during the July Term 2026. The case is assigned to Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson in Floyd County Superior Court under case number 26CR01341-003. District Attorney Leigh E Patterson is prosecuting. Here is what each count accuses Charles E France of doing on or about June 1, 2026:
Count 1 — False Imprisonment (Felony): Charles E France is accused of unlawfully confining and detaining a victim without legal authority, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-41.
Count 2 — Aggravated Assault (Felony): Charles E France is accused of knowingly assaulting one victim using his hands in a manner likely to result in strangulation by restricting that person’s airway, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-21.
Count 3 — Aggravated Assault (Felony): Charles E France is accused of knowingly assaulting a second victim using his hands in a manner likely to result in strangulation by restricting that person’s airway, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-21.
Count 4 — Simple Battery, Family Violence (Misdemeanor): Charles E France is accused of making physical contact of an insulting and provoking nature with a victim by grabbing that person by the arm, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-23(f).
Count 5 — Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (Misdemeanor): Charles E France is accused of committing a forcible felony — specifically Aggravated Assault — upon one victim while knowing that a child under the age of 18 was present and able to see and hear the act, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(d).
Count 6 — Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (Misdemeanor): Charles E France is accused of committing a forcible felony — specifically Aggravated Assault — upon a second victim while knowing that the same child under the age of 18 was present and able to see and hear the act, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(d).
A grand jury indictment means that a panel of citizens reviewed evidence presented by the prosecution and found probable cause to formally charge Charles E France. It is not a finding of guilt.
8/11/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT CHARLES E FRANCE
What this means: Floyd County Superior Court determined that Charles E France qualifies as indigent — meaning he does not have the financial means to hire a private attorney — under the criteria of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act. As a result, the court appointed the Office of the Public Defender for the Rome Judicial Circuit to represent him. Attorney Jonathan Speiser is designated as the attorney of record in case number 26CR01341-003. This order was filed in the clerk’s office on August 13, 2026.
8/17/26
DEFENSE FILES DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY IN CASE AGAINST CHARLES E FRANCE
What this means: Defense attorney Jonathan Speiser filed a formal Demand for Discovery on behalf of Charles E France in Floyd County Superior Court, case number 26CR01341-003. This is a standard legal request requiring the prosecution to turn over evidence and information before trial. The demand asks the State to provide, among other things: a complete list of trial witnesses, a list of witnesses who testified before the grand jury, any evidence that could help the defense (known as Brady material), any deals or promises made to witnesses in exchange for testimony, evidence the State plans to use at sentencing, any reports related to alleged family violence, and materials a witness may have used to refresh their memory. The certificate of service confirms the demand was delivered to the Floyd County District Attorney’s Office on August 17, 2026.
9/3/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE WITH DISCOVERY
What this means: Assistant District Attorney Charlie Wedding filed a notice in Floyd County Superior Court confirming the State has provided Charles E France’s defense with the charging document, witness list, test results, criminal history, investigative reports, and any recordings. The State also demands reciprocal discovery from the defense within ten days, requests any alibi information Charles E France intends to use, and notifies the defense that it plans to use Charles E France’s prior convictions to challenge his credibility if he testifies and to seek enhanced sentencing if he is convicted.
9/11/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 9/11/26 AT 9:00 AM
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for Charles E France on September 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Floyd County Superior Court. An arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally read the charges against them and enters an initial plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This will be one of the first major court appearances for Charles E France following the grand jury indictment returned in August 2026.