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Name:
Ramirez, Giovanni J
Date of Booking:
08/29/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI
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 08/29/2026 I, Deputy. Wigner, was on routine patrol in Habersham County Zone 2 when I observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Faith Christian Academy. I had previous been in this parking lot and the vehicle was not present. I pulled in behind the vehicle, a 2022 Dodge Ram Pickup (Georgia Tag# [REDACTED]) and made a tier 1 stop.
As I approached the vehicle the driver who was identified by his drivers license as Giovanni Jesus Ramirez (DOB: [REDACTED]) open the drivers door. I asked him what he was doing and he stated he just got some bad news and had pulled into the parking lot. I could smell a strong odor of an alcohol beverage coming from his vehicle and from his breath as he spoke to me. I observed his eyes were bloodshot and glassy.
I asked him how much he had to drink and he said, not that much. When I asked him what is not that much, he stated two Cayman’s. I asked him for his driver’s license and he reached into his wallet and attempted to hand me a credit card. Mr. Ramirez then handed me a Tennessee drivers license. When I asked him about a Georgia Driver’s License, he showed me a DOT card. He stated he did not have a Georgia Driver’s License and had been here for about two-three months. I asked if there was any weapons in the vehicle and he stated not that he knew of. When I questioned him about that statement and he pointed a handgun in the driver’s door.. I retrieved a black Smith & Wesson (Serial #EFN8194) 9mm from the door pocket of the vehicle and placed it on the bed of the vehicle for officer safety. A check on the handgun returned with no information.
I asked him once again how much he had to drink and he stated two drinks, three max. He said he had them maybe three hours ago at El Patron in Baldwin. I asked him where he was going and he said he was heading home to [100 BLOCK] Mt. Zion Rd. which would be in the opposite direction coming from Baldwin. I asked Mr. Ramirez if he would perform some Field Sobriety Evaluations to determine if he would be safe to drive and he said he would not drive. I explained to Mr. Ramirez that due to his admission he had been drinking and drove there, and the fact I was recently in the parking lot and his vehicle was not parked there. I once again asked if he would consent to some field sobriety evaluation and he asked if he did not what would happen. I told him he would go to jail. He said that he would then. I told him that if he did and I determined he was fine I would let someone come get him but if he did not, he would go to jail. He then consented to the evaluations and he stepped out of the vehicle. As we spoke, I continued to smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
I asked him if he had any medical problems, bad legs, or hips, and he said he had ankle surgery but he could walk and stand. He denied being on any prescriptions or any other medical issues.
STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY EXERCISES
The following exercises were performed in the gravel parking lot on a flat surface. The lighting conditions consisted of my flash light and patrol car vehicle lights and a light pole. Each exercise was explained and appropriately demonstrated prior to having the driver perform them. The driver also provided an affirmative response stating that he understood my instructions. Mr. Ramirez was wearing boots.
HORIZONAL GAZE NYSTAGMUS
I asked him if he was wearing contacts and he stated no. The driver’s eyes displayed equal tracking and equal pupil size. I then checked for lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and onset of nystagmus prior to forty-five degrees in both eyes. The driver displayed the following 6 clues:
- Lack of smooth pursuit in both the left and right eye
- Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both the left and right eye
- Onset of nystag
I then checked for vertical nystagmus and none was noticed.
WALK AND TURN
The driver displayed the following 3 clues:
Instruction phase
- Unable to balance stepping to the side (stepping to the side once and not returning to the start position)
Walking Phase
2. Missed heal to toe all steps.
3. Took 15
I also noted he did not take the take a step before counting it as one. After he took the 15 steps I stopped the evaluation.
ONE LEG STAND
The driver raised his right leg and displayed the following 2 clues:
Instructional Stage
No Clues
Counting and balancing phase
- Put his foot down.
- Uses arms to balance.
NON-STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY EXERCISE
ABC’s
I asked him how far he went in school and he said he pasted the twelfth grade and he stated he knew his alphabet. I asked him to say his ABC’s starting with D and go to Q. He stated A-L, M, N, F, O, B, Q, R, S, T, U, B, W, R, S, T, Y, Z.
Based on my observations and the totality of the circumstances, I believe that Mr. Ramirez was under the influence and is unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. He was placed under arrest at approximately 0120 hours, handcuffed in the rear, they were checked for proper fit and double locked. Later they were moved to the front, checked for proper fit and double locked. I read Mr. Ramirez the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspect Over the Age of 21 from the green card and asked for blood. He consented and was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham.
The vehicle and the firearm were turned over to [REDACTED] at his request.
Once at the hospital, a blood sample was obtained by [REDACTED] at 0157 hours. Mr. Ramirez was then transport to Habersham County Detention Center for processing and issued a citation for DUI.
The blood kit was placed into evidence to be tested. An open container that he stated contained Moon Shine was found in the drivers door, was poured out at the location. Ms. [REDACTED] paced the wrong name on the test tube writing “Riovanni” but corrected it before sealing the box.
[End of Narrative]