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Name:
Whitehead, Eric Juan
Date of Booking:
04/01/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault
AGGRAVATED BATTERY
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on April 01, 2026]
On April 1, 2026, I responded to [900 BLOCK] Chubb Rd in reference to an unconscious female. While on Chubb Rd on far from the residence I did noticed a White Toyota Camry with black wheels driving away from the residence. At this time I did not have any knowledge this vehicle was involved. When I arrived at the location I could see a female laying on the front porch. She appeared to be bleeding from the nose and mouth and had a knot on her forehead. She did not seem to understand when I was attempting to speak with her.
She was able to tell me her name was [VICTIM #1] and that her “baby daddy” did this to her and that it was in a car. She then began to have a seizure. I told Cpl Webb that we needed to get her on her side while she was seizing. She then recovered and attempted to stand up. I told her that she needed to stay sitting so that she did not fall and injure herself further. She attempted several times to stand and I did not allow her to do so due to her not being able to keep from seizing for more than a minute.
EMS arrived to the location and [VICTIM #1] was placed onto the back of the ambulance. She did not know where she was at and seemed very confused. I advised Lt Williams that we would need to contact the on call investigator. I advised Capt Lom of the incident and she advised she would meet [VICTIM #1] at the hospital.
Before [VICTIM #1] lost consciousness on the ambulance she began to ask where her child was. At this time we were not sure if the child was in the woods were [VICTIM #1] walked from. Sgt Penny began to search the area with his drone while awaiting the arrival of a K9.
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office arrived with a K9 and we began to search the woods that [VICTIM #1] was suspected of taking to get to the residence without success. We were later advised that the child was located at a residence in Polk County.
[WITNESS #1] stated that [VICTIM #1] approached the residence from a wooded area to the east of the residence. He lead me to the area where she was scene exiting the wooded area. I searched the wooded area but was unable to locate anything. He stated that [REDACTED] was the first to see [VICTIM #1] exiting the wooded area.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on April 01, 2026]
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026 O. Lom responded to Atrium Health after the listed victim was transported by EMS. The information that Lom had received was that the victim walked up to a property and seemed to have walked up from the woodline. When Lom initially arrived the victim was disoriented, at times combative and would be in and out of consciousness.
EMS stated that she had actively seized in their presence a total of 6 times and while in the hospital room the victim began convulsing again. The victim also told EMS that her “boyfriend” had caused her injuries.
Another concern was that the victim would mention a son and at the time we did not have more information. It was unknown if the “son” the victim was mentioning was also in the woods or in danger since the victim stated her “boyfriend” had hurt her.
Through further investigation the victim was able to be identified as well as the possible boyfriend. Once they were identified officers continued to work to locate the boyfriend, listed suspect, and their child. There was concern that the child could be in danger because of the incident that had occurred. The suspect and child were found by officers at the suspect’s mother’s house.
Once the victim became stable she was able to share some information of the incident. The victim stated that they (victim, suspect and their 1 year old child) checked out of a hotel room the morning of the 1st. After checking out they began driving around. While driving around, the suspect became agitated and began to argue.
The suspect accused the victim of cheating and not being satisfied with the suspect. As the suspect became more agitated, he then began being violent toward the victim. He had pulled over near the location where the victim was discovered. While on the side of the road, the suspect began to punch, kick and strangle the victim. The victim stated that it was difficult to breath as the suspect was choking her. All this was in the presence of their 1 year old son. The strikes by the suspect caused the victim to have a broken nose, broken ribs, as well has significant visible injury to the victim’s neck.
The victim stated that she was able to open the car door and escape from the suspect. As the victim began to run, he yelled at her and told the victim to get back in the car or he would run her over. The victim did not stop because she was afraid of the suspect. When the suspect saw the victim was not stopping he then told the victim that he would run over “her son” if she did not return.
All of the interaction with the victim was recorded on BWC 06
The victim did give consent to release medical records from Atrium Health from the treatment received after the attack. At this time Lom is waiting to receive those results.
[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:
4/1/26
ERIC JUAN WHITEHEAD BOOKED INTO CUSTODY — AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATED BATTERY CHARGES
What this means: Eric Juan Whitehead was booked into custody in Floyd County on April 1, 2026, facing charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery under case number 26PI00193-3. Aggravated assault generally means allegedly attacking someone in a way that could cause serious harm, while aggravated battery means allegedly causing serious physical injury to another person. At this stage, these are accusations only — Eric Juan Whitehead is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
5/12/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND AND RULE NISI
What this means: On May 12, 2026, defense attorney Jonathan Speiser (Georgia Bar No. 235654) filed a Motion for Bond on behalf of Eric Juan Whitehead in Floyd County Superior Court, asking the court to set a bail amount so Whitehead could be released from custody while the case proceeds. Along with that motion, the court issued a Rule Nisi — a formal order directing the State of Georgia to appear in court and explain why the bond request should not be granted. The hearing was scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Floyd County Courthouse. A Certificate of Service confirms the motion was delivered to the Floyd County District Attorney’s Office.
5/26/26
BOND GRANTED — ERIC JUAN WHITEHEAD RELEASED ON CONDITIONS
What this means: Judge Bryan Thomas Johnson of Floyd County Superior Court granted bond for Eric Juan Whitehead on May 26, 2026, setting the amount at $5,000. The State opposed the bond. As conditions of his release, Eric Juan Whitehead must comply with the following requirements: he may have no contact whatsoever, directly or indirectly, with the victim in this case; he may not possess or use any firearm, alcohol, or illegal drugs other than validly prescribed medications; he must provide a current address and contact number to the court, the Sheriff, and the District Attorney’s Office; and he must participate in GPS-based electronic monitoring at all times, with the device active and in place before his release from custody. Additionally, by handwritten condition, Whitehead cannot leave Floyd County or Polk County without permission from the court, and may travel to Paulding County only for work purposes and only passing through other counties going there and back. The GPS monitoring conditions (Exhibit A) specify that Whitehead must comply with the monitoring agency’s terms, may not attempt to remove or interfere with the device, may not intentionally damage the equipment, and must pay all past-due invoices to the monitoring company before the device can be removed. Violations of any of these conditions could result in bond being revoked and Whitehead being returned to custody.
8/21/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 5 COUNTS FILED AGAINST ERIC JUAN WHITEHEAD
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Eric Juan Whitehead on August 21, 2026, during the July Term of Floyd County Superior Court. The case was assigned case number 26CR01457-3, with District Attorney Leigh E. Patterson prosecuting. The indictment charges Eric Juan Whitehead with five counts, all stemming from events alleged to have occurred on or about April 1, 2026.
Count 1 — Aggravated Assault (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-5-21): Whitehead is accused of knowingly making an assault upon the victim using his hands as an object, device, and instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to result in strangulation by restricting the airway of the victim.
Count 2 — Aggravated Battery (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-5-24): Whitehead is accused of maliciously causing bodily harm to the victim by rendering a member of her body useless and by seriously disfiguring her body, including causing injuries to her head to the extent that she began experiencing seizures, and causing fractures to her ribs and nose.
Count 3 — Terroristic Threats (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-11-37(b)): Whitehead is accused of threatening to commit a crime of violence against the victim with the purpose of terrorizing her, specifically by stating he would run over her with his vehicle.
Count 4 — Terroristic Threats (Felony, O.C.G.A. 16-11-37(b)): Whitehead is accused of making a separate terroristic threat with the purpose of terrorizing a child — the infant son of the victim — by stating he would run over the child with his vehicle.
Count 5 — Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (Misdemeanor, O.C.G.A. 16-5-70(d)): Whitehead is accused of being the primary aggressor and unlawfully committing a forcible felony — specifically the aggravated assault upon the victim — while having knowledge that a child under the age of 18 was present and able to see and hear the act.
A grand jury indictment means that a panel of citizens reviewed the State’s evidence and found probable cause to formally charge Eric Juan Whitehead. It is not a finding of guilt. Whitehead is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
9/9/26
JONATHAN SPEISER APPOINTED AS COUNSEL FOR ERIC JUAN WHITEHEAD
What this means: On September 9, 2026, Jonathan Speiser was formally appointed as defense counsel for Eric Juan Whitehead in Floyd County Superior Court in connection with case number 26CR01457-3. This means the court officially designated Speiser as Whitehead’s attorney of record to represent him as the case moves forward.
9/21/26
DEFENSE FILES DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: On September 21, 2026, defense attorney Jonathan Speiser filed a formal demand for discovery on behalf of Eric Juan Whitehead in Floyd County Superior Court. Discovery is the legal process by which the defense requests that the prosecution share evidence it has gathered — such as police reports, witness statements, lab results, and other materials — so that Whitehead’s legal team can review it and prepare a defense.
10/5/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE WITH DISCOVERY STATUTE
What this means: On October 5, 2026, the State of Georgia filed a notice indicating it had complied with the applicable discovery statute in Eric Juan Whitehead’s case. This means the prosecution confirmed it had provided the defense with the evidence and materials required by Georgia law in response to the earlier discovery demand.
10/9/26
ERIC JUAN WHITEHEAD ARRAIGNED — ENTERS NOT GUILTY PLEA
What this means: On October 9, 2026, at 9:45 a.m., Eric Juan Whitehead appeared for arraignment in Floyd County Superior Court and entered a not guilty plea, also filing a written waiver of formal arraignment rights. An arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally informed of the charges against them and enters an initial plea. A not guilty plea is standard at this stage and simply means the case will continue toward trial. It is not an admission or denial of the underlying facts.
1/6/27
CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED — JURY TRIAL AT 1:30 PM
What this means: A calendar call has been scheduled for January 6, 2027, at 1:30 p.m. in Floyd County Superior Court in the case against Eric Juan Whitehead. A calendar call is a court session where the judge confirms which cases are ready to proceed to jury trial and sets or confirms trial dates. This is a scheduling step, not a trial itself.