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Name:
Aruda Jackson, Bella Marie
Date of Booking:
03/13/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Disorderly conduct
Disruption or interference with operation of public schools
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 above date and time, I, Deputy Carroll, received a Centigex alert from a staff member at Veterans High School (340 Piney Grove Rd.).
Once I arrived on the 1400 hallway, I observed a white female later identified as Bella Jackson-Arruda holding [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’s jacket sleeve. Dr. [REDACTED] (assistant principal) walked the two students to the office.
I made contact with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the office, who stated Bella (girlfriend) was upset because he would not answer her question. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated Bella was holding his jacket sleeve and refused to let his sleeve go so he could go to class.
I made contact with Bella, who stated she was having a conversation with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (boyfriend), and the teacher intervened and escalated the situation.
Mrs. [WITNESS #1] (teacher) stated she heard yelling in the hallway during the class exchange and walked out of her class to figure out what was going on. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated when she came out into the hallway, she discovered Bella holding onto [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’s jacket sleeve and refusing to let go after she instructed her multiple times.
Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated Bella was telling [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if he did not answer the question, she would tell his mother about a “hospital” incident. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated before she pressed the Centigex button, she advised Bella that if she did not let go, she would alert administration. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] looked at her and said, “Please.”
After reviewing the cameras in the school, I observed Bella holding [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’s jacket and not letting it go when he tried to break away from her multiple times. I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] he would like to proceed with a simple assault charge, and he advised “no.”
Due to the transition of class, Mrs. [WITNESS #1] had to stop class, and other students felt threatened by Bella’s behavior and actions; she was charged with disruption of a public school and disorderly conduct.
I advised Bella to stand up and place her hands behind her back. Bella was placed into handcuffs behind her back; the handcuffs were fit-checked and double-locked. Bella was searched with negative findings. Bella was placed to the rear of my patrol unit, transported, and turned over to the HCDC.
A warrant was taken and signed for both charges.
I checked my patrol unit before and after transport with negative findings.
[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:
5/20/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 2 COUNTS AGAINST BELLA MARIE JACKSON-ARRUDA
What this means: Solicitor General Ryan W. English, through Chief Assistant Solicitor-General Erikka B. Williams, formally filed criminal charges against Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda in the State Court of Houston County, Georgia under case number 2026CR0117338. The accusation — a formal charging document used in misdemeanor cases — alleges two separate offenses stemming from an incident on or about March 13, 2026, at Veteran’s High School in Houston County.
Count 1 charges Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda with Disorderly Conduct (O.C.G.A. 16-11-39), a misdemeanor. She is accused of acting in a tumultuous manner toward another person, allegedly placing that person and bystanders in reasonable fear for their safety, life, limb, or health.
Count 2 charges Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda with Disrupting Public School (O.C.G.A. 20-2-1181), a misdemeanor. She is accused of disrupting the operation of Veteran’s High School by allegedly refusing to cooperate with faculty and leave a classroom when directed to do so.
The case is assigned to Judge Jason Ashford.
5/21/26
ARRAIGNMENT HELD — BELLA MARIE JACKSON-ARRUDA PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda appeared for arraignment in the State Court of Houston County on May 21, 2026. An arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally presented with the charges against them and enters an initial plea. Jackson-Arruda checked “Not Guilty” on the arraignment form and requested a jury trial — meaning she wants her case decided by a jury of her peers rather than by a judge alone. She also waived, or gave up, her right to a formal reading of the accusation and the list of witnesses. Defense attorney Daniel Farnham is listed as counsel of record as of May 22, 2026.
5/28/26
NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED — JURY TRIAL REQUESTED
What this means: The not guilty plea entered by Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda at her May 21 arraignment was formally recorded in case number 2026CR0117338. Her request for a jury trial was also confirmed at this time, meaning the case will proceed toward a trial before a jury rather than a bench trial decided solely by Judge Jason Ashford.
12/15/26
CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: A calendar call is scheduled for December 15, 2026 at 1:30 PM in the State Court of Houston County. A calendar call is a routine court date where the judge checks the status of pending cases — both sides confirm whether the case is ready to proceed to trial or if any issues need to be resolved first.
2/16/27
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED
What this means: A jury trial is scheduled for February 16, 2027 at 1:30 PM in the State Court of Houston County for Bella Marie Jackson-Arruda under case number 2026CR0117338. At this proceeding, a jury would hear evidence on both the Disorderly Conduct and Disrupting Public School charges and determine whether the state has proven its case.