Jerry Lancaster

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Name:
Lancaster, Jerry Lee

Date of Booking:
02/26/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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 Thursday, 2/26/26, at approximately 11:40 a.m., I, DFCS. Weaver 528, was called into the sergeant’s office by Sgt. Pim 553, to meet with a walk in to the uniform patrol division. Mitch McWorter and Matt Class, who are officers with Gilmer County Animal Control, were in the office with Sgt. Pim.

I walked in and they shared with me, they had a dog that they just picked up from [100 BLOCK] Adventure Trl, with a metal carabiner (typically used to secure connecting ropes, gear and equipment in climbing, sailing, industrial rigging, and rescue operations) through the front thick skin of the canines neck (throat area).

I activated my body camera, and the men shared with me they were at [100 BLOCK] Adventure Trl because Mitch had received a call from a junk removal service in reference to multiple canines left at the home after the tenants were evicted. Mitch stated there was a dog on a very short lead, so he picked him up and brought him up to the animal shelter. When they returned back to the animal shelter with the canine they removed the collar and noticed that there was a metal carabiner through his neck.

[REDACTED], manager of the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, stated on their incident report (#1685) the carabiner was “embedded in neck with chains hanging from it”, the carabiner, chains and lead have been turned into evidence (receipt #19970). [REDACTED] stated they were able to remove the carabiner and flush the wound with chlorhexidine, and the carabiner appeared to be pierced through the canines skin for months because of how the skin was healing around it.

Mitch, Matt, [REDACTED], and the Director of the Gilmer County Animal Shelter were able to identify the canine’s owners, Teresa Bagwell and Jerry Lancaster. There were also other canines at the residence, and animal control took possession of them.

All written statements have been turned in to uniform patrol division (UPD) secretary, and pictures have been sent to [REDACTED].

Mitch had Teresa and Jerry meet him at the Gilmer County Courthouse to sign the paperwork to surrender the canines, and while they were there, I placed both of them under arrest for OCGA 16-12-4 (c) felony aggravated animal cruelty. I handcuffed Teresa behind her back, checked for fit and double locked the handcuffs. I then had Teresa walk to the front of my patrol car where I searched her incident to arrest.

Teresa wanted to talk to me, so DFC Harter-Ray read Teresa her Miranda Rights. I had DFC Harter-Ray 526 put Teresa in the rear seat of my patrol car, where she was buckled in and rear camera activated. Teresa said she has never hurt her animals, and would never hurt them. I asked Teresa how the carabiner ended up through the skin of the canine and she said she found it like that when they came home one day.

I then placed Jerry under arrest, and DFC Harter-Ray handcuffed him in back, checked for fit, and double locked and transported him for me. I transported Teresa to the Gilmer County Adult Detention Center with no incident.

[End of Narrative]

The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

There is a listed co-defendant in this case. Please see Teresa Bagwell for additional information.

2/27/26

MAGISTRATE COURT BOND DENIAL

What this means: Jerry Lee Lancaster appeared before a magistrate in Gilmer County for a bond hearing. The magistrate denied bond, meaning Lancaster was not released from custody at that time. The denial was based on findings that included the accused posing a significant threat or danger to others, the community, or property, as well as a significant risk of committing a felony while on release.

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2/27/26

CASE BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT

What this means: Following the magistrate court proceedings, Jerry Lee Lancaster’s case was formally transferred to the Superior Court of Gilmer County. This means the magistrate court determined there was enough evidence for the case to move forward at the superior court level, where felony charges are handled.

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3/4/26

RULE NISI FOR BOND HEARING ISSUED

What this means: The Superior Court of Gilmer County issued a Rule Nisi — a court order directing Jerry Lee Lancaster to appear before Judge Scruton on March 10, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for a bond hearing. The warrant number associated with this case is 26-190FW. A Rule Nisi is essentially a formal notice requiring a party to show cause or appear before the court on a specific matter.

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3/18/26

ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE

What this means: Judge Allison Scruton of Gilmer County Superior Court signed an order continuing Jerry Lee Lancaster’s bond hearing. The reason noted was that the Public Defender’s office had just been appointed to represent Lancaster and would need time to prepare. The case was rescheduled to April 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for a bond hearing.

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3/18/26

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

What this means: The Gilmer County Superior Court formally appointed counsel to represent Jerry Lee Lancaster. Lancaster was found to be unable to pay the validation fee of $50.00 to the Gilmer County Magistrate Court prior to the appointment of a public defender. The order was signed on March 18, 2026.

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3/23/26

ENTRY OF APPEARANCE — PUBLIC DEFENDER

What this means: The Office of the Circuit Public Defender for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit filed an Entry of Appearance in Gilmer County Superior Court, formally entering as attorney of record for Jerry Lee Lancaster. The entry was signed by Clinton S. Hooker of the Circuit Public Defender’s office.

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4/23/26

CONSENT BOND ORDER

What this means: The Superior Court of Gilmer County entered a Consent Bond Order for Jerry Lee Lancaster under Case No. 2026CR-007-BAS and Warrant No. 26-190FW. Lancaster was granted bond in the amount of $10,000.00, cash or property, returnable to June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The bond comes with special conditions, including submitting to searches for prohibited substances, submitting to searches of his person and property without a warrant when requested by law enforcement, not violating any laws, and not ingesting any substances prohibited by Georgia or federal law, including alcohol.