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Name:
Williams, Akil Dion
Date of Booking:
06/20/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI 1ST OFFENSE
POSSESSION OF OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINER
TAIL LIGHT REQUIREMENT
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 June 20, 2026]
On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 02:35 hours, I was traveling Westbound on Highway 196 East approaching its intersection with Habersham Road, when I observed a white in color Toyota Camry bearing a Florida tag [REDACTED] traveling in the right lane with a taillight not working. I turned on my emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop.
When I turned on my emergency equipment, the violator vehicle changed lanes from the right lane to the left lane and stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic. I exited my vehicle, approached the driver later identified as Mr. Dion Akil quickly introduced myself, asked for his driver’s license then requested for him to move his vehicle from the road to the furthest right-hand shoulder which he complied.
Once the vehicle was safely off the roadway I re-approached the vehicle, re-introduced myself and explained the reason for the stop. As soon as I began speaking to Mr. Akil, I smelt the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person and observed his eyes being very glossy. Deputy Timperio 996 approached the violator vehicle from the passenger side and observed an empty bottle of Don Julio stuffed inside a pocket on the back on the passenger seat.
At that time, I radioed for Deputy Nunn 983 to come to the scene to conduct field sobriety testing. I requested for Mr. Akil to exit the vehicle for officer safety purposes. While doing so he was extremely unsteady on his feet, almost falling to the ground as he was exiting the vehicle.
Deputy Nunn arrived and the scene was turned over to him.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on June 20, 2026]
On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 0243 hours, Deputy Kaiden Chandler 938 requested assistance for a possible 10-55 driver (Driver Under the Influence) on a traffic stop on a white Toyota Camry with FL tag [REDACTED]. I informed Deputy Chandler and dispatch that I would be en route. I arrived on scene at 0255 hours, meeting with Deputy Chandler and Deputy Robert Timperio 996.
See Deputy Chandler’s supplement for further information on what was observed during the initial traffic stop.
After speaking with Deputy Timperio 996, who was also on scene, I went to speak with the driver, Mr. Akil Williams. As I approached Mr. Williams, I noticed he was unsteady on his feet and had glossy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. I asked if Mr. Williams would consent to conducting Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Mr. Williams refused testing four times.
I then asked Mr. Williams if he would consent to the use of a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). Mr. Williams again refused. I instructed Mr. Williams to turn around and place his hands behind his back. I placed Mr. Williams in double-locked handcuffs, checked for fit. Immediately after placing Mr. Williams in handcuffs, I read Mr. Williams Georgia Implied Consent Notice For Suspects Age 21 or Over from my green card. Mr. Williams verbally refused to submit to the state-administered chemical test of his blood.
I conducted a search of Mr. Williams’ person for contraband, with none found. Mr. Williams was then placed in the backseat of my patrol vehicle and, at his request, was not buckled in. Before placing him in the backseat, it was checked for contraband, with none found.
Once done with Mr. Williams, I was informed about the open alcohol container of Don Julio that was located in the back seat of the vehicle. Deputy Timperio and Deputy Chandler informed me that no one in the vehicle would claim ownership of the open container. I informed them that if no one claimed it, everyone in the vehicle would receive a citation. I went to the vehicle to speak with the passengers of the vehicle. I asked all passengers in the vehicle for their names and dates of birth. I returned to my patrol vehicle to print 3 citations for possession of an open alcohol container.
I radioed dispatch requesting the next list wrecker service to come and retrieve the vehicle because no one in the vehicle was sober enough to drive. Dispatch advised Hinesville towing was en route.
I went back to the vehicle and handed citations to all 3 passengers: 2 female occupants in the backseat and 1 male in the front passenger seat. I explained the citation to all 3 occupants simultaneously. After explaining the citation, I asked the 2 female occupants to sign the court copy, noting that their signatures were not an admission of guilt and only meant they would either pay the ticket or appear in court.
After the 2 ladies signed their citation without incident, I then asked the male passenger, Mr. Alex Rivera, to sign his citation. Mr. Rivera immediately stated no, he refused. I informed Mr. Rivera that his refusal to sign would result in going to jail. Mr. Rivera stated no, he wasn’t going to jail for not signing a ticket. I again asked Mr. Rivera if he would sign the citation. He again stated no. I instructed Mr. Rivera to step out of the vehicle, informing him he was now going to jail.
Once Mr. Rivera stepped out of the vehicle, I placed him in double-locked handcuffs, checked for fit, and arrested him for refusing to sign his citation. Deputy Chandler escorted Mr. Rivera to his patrol vehicle and conducted a search of his person for contraband, with none found. Before placing him in the backseat, his patrol vehicle was searched for contraband, and none was found. Deputy Chandler transported Mr. Rivera to the Liberty County Jail and turned him over to on-duty booking officers without incident. Before leaving the jail, Deputy Chandler checked his patrol vehicle for contraband, with none found.
Hinesville towing arrived on scene and took possession of the Toyota Camry. The 2 female passengers were picked up by another family member.
I transported Mr. Williams to the Liberty County Jail and turned him over to the on-duty booking officers without incident. Before leaving the jail, my backseat was checked for contraband again, with none found.
The 2 female occupants were issued citations for Possession of an Open Alcohol Container (OCGA 40-6-253). Mr. Rivera was arrested and issued citations for Possession of an Open Alcohol Container and Refusal to Sign Citation (OCGA 40-13-2.1). Mr. Williams was arrested and issued citations for Tail Light Requirement (OCGA 40-8-23), Possession of an Open Alcohol Container, and DUI 1st Offense (OCGA 40-6-391.1).
All citations issued were given a court date of September 1, 2026.
[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:
6/20/26
SURETY BOND SET — AKIL DION WILLIAMS RELEASED ON $2,119.00 BOND
What this means: A surety bond allows Akil Dion Williams to be released from jail while his case proceeds. Tri-County Bonding agreed to guarantee a $2,119.00 bond, meaning if Williams fails to appear in court, the bonding company must pay that amount. Williams or his family paid a fee to the bonding company to secure his release, and he must now appear at all required court dates.
9/1/26
CRIMINAL ARRAIGNMENT CALENDAR SCHEDULED
What this means: Akil Dion Williams is scheduled to appear on the criminal arraignment calendar in Liberty County State Court on September 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM. An arraignment is a formal court appearance where a defendant is officially informed of the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard early step in the criminal court process.
9/1/26
FORMAL CHARGES FILED — THREE-COUNT ACCUSATION AGAINST AKIL DION WILLIAMS
What this means: Prosecutors in Liberty County State Court formally filed a three-count accusation against Akil Dion Williams under case number 2026-SR-3240, charging him with three misdemeanor offenses allegedly occurring on or about June 20, 2026.
Count 1 accuses Williams of a Taillight Violation (O.C.G.A. 40-8-23), alleging he failed to maintain working taillights while operating a motor vehicle in Liberty County.
Count 2 accuses Williams of Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol) (O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1)), alleging he unlawfully drove a moving vehicle on the roads and highways of Liberty County while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for him to drive.
Count 3 accuses Williams of Open Container (O.C.G.A. 40-6-253), alleging he unlawfully possessed an open alcoholic beverage container while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway in Liberty County.
9/1/26
AKIL DION WILLIAMS SENTENCED — FINAL DISPOSITION ENTERED IN LIBERTY COUNTY STATE COURT
What this means: Following his guilty plea, Akil Dion Williams was sentenced in Liberty County State Court on September 1, 2026, under case number 2026-SR-3240. Williams received a total sentence of 24 months probation, a $2,301 total fine ($2,000 for the DUI reduction to Reckless Driving plus $301 for Open Container), and 40 hours of community service. The Taillight Violation charge was nolle prosequi and dismissed.