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Name:
Horne, William David
Date of Booking:
05/17/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED STALKING (FAMILY VIOLENCE)
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 Sunday, 5/17/26, at approximately 1130am, I, DFC S. Weaver 528, was dispatched to call a complainant about her ex-boyfriend sending her a card and flowers when he has bond conditions that does allow him to have any contact with her. I activated my body camera and called [VICTIM #1], the complainant.
[VICTIM #1] stated that her ex-boyfriend, William David Horne (goes by David) was recently arrested for OCGA 16-5-90 Stalking and OCGA 16-5- 39.1 Harassing Phone Calls. [VICTIM #1] said that David showed up at her house after being told numerous times to leave her alone, and to stop contacting her. [VICTIM #1] was left 32 voicemails by David between 1/2026 and 4/20/2026, after attempts from [VICTIM #1] to block contact from him and his number and sending him a certified letter. The above having taken place in Pickens County Georgia, warrant #2026MWR188A-B and case number 26-04-2601.
[VICTIM #1] then stated that yesterday, 5/16/26, she was notified by a coworker, [WITNESS #1], that David had come into their workplace, Engelheim Vineyards (120 Lakeview Dr Ellijay, Ga 30540), and gave [WITNESS #1] a card and flowers and asked her to please give them to [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had also gone to the Gilmer County Courthouse on Thursday, 5/14/26, and filed a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) against David.
[VICTIM #1] said that despite numerous attempts to get him to stop contacting her, David is continuously calling her from different phone numbers and telling her that he won’t stop contacting her until the day he dies. [VICTIM #1] is in fear of her safety and is unable to have any peace due to David’s constant attempts at communication with her.
I met with [VICTIM #1] at approximately 1354pm on this day. When I arrived at Engelheim Vineyards I activated my body camera. [VICTIM #1] showed me the copy of the TPO that she had applied for, the confirmation of the certified letter she had sent to David, and he had signed for on 1/22/26, and the card that was left 5/16/26 for her by David. The card has David asking [VICTIM #1] for forgiveness and saying that he is a wimp. The card also has statements that don’t make much sense, and on the back of the card David wrote “please do not report this I’ll go to jail for 3 yr.” and says “I will never bother you again you are 10,000% safe”.
I explained to [VICTIM #1] that I will be documenting everything she has shared with me (all pictures have been sent to [REDACTED]), and I will be applying for a Felony warrant for OCGA 16-5-91 Aggravated Stalking for David’s violation of the bond conditions. While on scene, the owner of Engelheim Vineyards, [REDACTED], arrived on scene to check on [VICTIM #1].
I explained to [VICTIM #1] and [REDACTED] about having David Criminally Trespassed from the property in addition to the bond conditions and the TPO that are already in place. [REDACTED] agreed that would be best, since it would be in place for David to not come onto the property even if [VICTIM #1] isn’t there; which he has in the past, looking for work. [REDACTED] signed the criminal trespass warning, and a copy was left for the vineyard to have on file for the staff to contact law enforcement if David were to show up. I gave [VICTIM #1] her case number, a victim pamphlet, and had her sign a victim notification form. I advised [VICTIM #1] that as soon as David is in custody, I would let her know.
I called to speak to [WITNESS #1] (body camera activated) and [WITNESS #1] said that she thinks David had come to Engelheim Vineyards around 1530-1600 on 5/16/26, because she said that they had just gotten busy with customers in the tasting room. [WITNESS #1] said she had seen someone out of the corner of her eye making erratic movements in the crowd, and then made eye contact with the man, later identified as David.
[WITNESS #1] stated that David handed her a card and potted plant and asked for it to be given to [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] said OK, before realizing that the man was David and was not allowed to have any contact with [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] said as soon as David had given the card and potted plant to her, he practically ran out of the tasting room.
At approximately 1552 pm this day, I received a text message from [VICTIM #1] telling me that David had just called her from a 706-area code. [VICTIM #1] stated that she picked up the phone thinking it could be law enforcement, but it was David and he said, “I am really sorry [VICTIM #1] please don’t hang up”, and [VICTIM #1] stated that she immediately hung up. [VICTIM #1] used an app, ChatGPT, to see who the number David had called from belonged to, and it was from Hunt Brothers Pizza (AKA Diane’s Country Store) at 807 Boardtown Rd ([REDACTED]). I have sent screenshots of the conversation with [VICTIM #1] from when David called her to [REDACTED].
[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:
5/18/26
MAGISTRATE COURT SETS BOND CONDITIONS FOR WILLIAM DAVID HORNE
What this means: A magistrate judge in Gilmer County reviewed William David Horne’s case and determined that his bond could only be set by a Superior Court judge — meaning the charge was serious enough that a magistrate did not have authority to release him on bond. Horne was ordered held in the Gilmer County jail until a Superior Court judge could address the matter. The form reflects that Horne indicated he understood the charges against him and that he is entitled to an attorney.
5/19/26
RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 6/2/26
What this means: Judge H. Alison Sosebee of Gilmer County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi — a formal court order directing the parties to appear — scheduling a bond hearing for William David Horne on June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The order was sent to District Attorney Frank Wood, Assistant District Attorneys, and the Circuit Public Defender’s office. Horne was given the option to appear via Webex if held in custody. A bond hearing is where a judge decides whether a defendant can be released from jail before trial and, if so, under what conditions.
6/2/26
BOND HEARING HELD — CONTINUED TO 6/23/26
What this means: William David Horne appeared before Gilmer County Superior Court for a bond hearing on June 2, 2026. At that hearing, Horne advised the court that he intended to hire his own attorney rather than use a public defender. Because he had not yet secured counsel, the court continued — meaning postponed — the bond hearing to June 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
6/3/26
ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE ENTERED — BOND HEARING RESET TO 6/23/26
What this means: Judge H. Alison Sosebee signed a formal written Order for Continuance memorializing the decision made at the June 2 hearing. The order reflects that William David Horne told the court he was going to hire an attorney, and the bond hearing was officially reset to June 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
6/22/26
ATTORNEY PAUL WHITE ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR WILLIAM DAVID HORNE
What this means: Attorney Paul White, based in Cumming, Georgia, filed a formal Entry of Appearance in Gilmer County Superior Court, notifying the court that he is now the attorney of record representing William David Horne. This filing was made the day before the rescheduled bond hearing, under Warrant Number 2026 SUW 168, Case No. SUW2026000168. Going forward, all court notices related to this case are to be directed to White’s office.
6/23/26
BOND HEARING HELD — CONSENT BOND ORDER REACHED
What this means: William David Horne appeared before Gilmer County Superior Court for the rescheduled bond hearing on June 23, 2026. The hearing notes reflect that a consent bond was to be signed, meaning the prosecution and defense agreed on the terms of Horne’s release rather than having the judge decide after a contested hearing.
7/1/26
CONSENT ORDER SETTING SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR BAIL ENTERED
What this means: Judge H. Alison Sosebee of Gilmer County Superior Court signed a Consent Order granting William David Horne’s motion for release from custody, with both the State and Horne’s attorney, Paul White, agreeing to the terms. Horne was ordered released upon posting a cash, surety, or property bond of $2,500.00. The order includes several conditions Horne must follow while out on bond: he must appear in court when required; he must not threaten or endanger any person or property; he must not violate any laws of Georgia, the United States, or any other government; if arrested on a new charge, he will not be released from jail until all bond violations have been addressed by a court; and he must reside at a specific address in Cartersville, Georgia, and may not stay overnight at any other address without prior written notice to his legal counsel, the Appalachian Pretrial and Probation Program, and the Sheriff of Gilmer County.
7/21/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 2 COUNTS FILED AGAINST WILLIAM DAVID HORNE
What this means: A Gilmer County grand jury returned a formal indictment against William David Horne during the April Term 2026, filed July 21, 2026, under Case No. 2026CR-218. An indictment means a grand jury reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution and found probable cause to formally charge Horne. This is not a finding of guilt — Horne is presumed innocent.
Count 1 charges Horne with Aggravated Stalking under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-91. Aggravated stalking is a felony that involves allegedly following, surveilling, or contacting another person in violation of a court order, bond condition, or other legal restriction.
Count 2 charges Horne as a Recidivist under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-7(a). This is not a standalone crime — it is a sentencing enhancement that the State is putting the court on notice about, meaning the prosecution intends to seek a harsher sentence if Horne is convicted, based on prior criminal history.
7/22/26
APPEARANCE BOND POSTED — WILLIAM DAVID HORNE RELEASED FROM CUSTODY
What this means: William David Horne posted an appearance bond in the amount of $2,500.00 through Smith Bonding, satisfying the bail condition set by the court’s July 1 consent order. By posting this bond, Horne secured his release from the Gilmer County jail while his case moves forward. Posting a bond means a bonding company guarantees to the court that Horne will appear at all required hearings — if he fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited and a warrant issued for his arrest.
9/8/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 9/8/26 AT 9:00 A.M.
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for William David Horne on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Gilmer County Superior Court. An arraignment is a formal court hearing where a defendant is officially informed of the charges against them — in this case, the two-count indictment — and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. This is a standard step that follows an indictment.