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Name:
Karnes, Paul Romero
Date of Booking:
04/24/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
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 April 24th, 2026 at approximately 2304 hours, Deputies were assisting Walthourville Police Department with a safety check point. This checkpoint was conducted on GA 119 near the 10 mile marker. I observed a gray Chevrolet Silverado (GA tag- [REDACTED]) approach the checkpoint. I made contact with the driver, Paul Karnes. I asked Mr. Karnes to show me his driver’s license, he complied. I did smell a strong odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. I instructed Mr. Karnes to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, he complied.
I made contact with Mr. Karnes again at the truck window and I observed bloodshot and watery eyes. I asked Mr. Karnes to exit the vehicle, he complied. Once Mr. Karnes exited the vehicle, he had a very strong odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. I asked Mr. Karnes how much alcohol he had consumed tonight, and he advised me he had a few drinks at the house. I asked Mr. Karnes if he would participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, he agreed. Testing is as follows.
Prior to beginning each test, I placed Mr. Karnes in the instructional phase and made sure he understood all the instructions.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus- 4/6 clues
Lack of Smooth Pursuit
Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation
Walk and Turn- 3/8 clues
Missed heel to toe
Improper turn
Could not hold instructional phase
One Leg Stand- 2/4 clues
Used arms for balance
Swayed side to side
I then requested Mr. Karnes provide a breath sample in my portable breath tester and he agreed. I gathered a positive indication of ethyl alcohol on his breath. (0.088)
Mr. Karnes was placed under arrest for DUI and into double locked handcuffs which were checked for fit. Mr. Karnes was read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21 from my green card. He agreed to the requested breath testing.
Mr. Karnes was searched incident to arrest before being placed into the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I asked Mr. Karnes if he had anyone that could come get his truck, he advised me he did not. I contacted Central 911 to send me the next list rotation wrecker service. Hinesville Towing later arrived on scene and took possession of the truck.
I transported Mr. Karnes to the Liberty County Jail where the breath test was completed on an Intoxilyzer 9000. The results indicated his measured BrAC was (0.083). Mr. Karnes was released to booking staff without incident and was cited for DUI.
The rear seat of my patrol vehicle was searched before and after transport with no contraband found. My Axon cameras were active during this incident.
[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:
4/24/26
PAUL ROMERO KARNES BOOKED INTO CUSTODY
What this means: Paul Romero Karnes was booked — meaning formally processed into custody — on this date in Liberty County. He is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. This is the starting point of the case in the Liberty County court system under case number STSR2026002332.
6/9/26
BOND SET FOR PAUL ROMERO KARNES
What this means: A bond was set for Paul Romero Karnes in Liberty County State Court on this date. Bond is a financial condition that, if met, allows a defendant to be released from custody while the case moves forward. The specific bond amount and conditions are not detailed in the available case notes.
6/30/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE IN PAUL ROMERO KARNES CASE
What this means: Attorney Andrew S. Johnson filed a Motion for Continuance on behalf of Paul Romero Karnes, asking the Liberty County State Court to reschedule an upcoming hearing to a later date. A continuance is simply a postponement — the defense is requesting more time before the next court appearance. The motion was dated May 19, 2026 and filed on June 30, 2026. The court has not yet ruled on the request based on available information.
6/30/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR PAUL ROMERO KARNES
What this means: Attorney Andrew S. Johnson of the law firm Arnold & Stafford formally notified the Liberty County State Court that he is representing Paul Romero Karnes in this case. This filing, called an Entry of Appearance, puts the court and the prosecution on notice that all future documents and communications must go through Johnson’s office. It was submitted on May 12, 2026 and filed with the court on June 30, 2026.
8/18/26
CRIMINAL ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR PAUL ROMERO KARNES
What this means: Paul Romero Karnes is scheduled to appear for a criminal arraignment at 9:00 AM on August 18, 2026 in Liberty County State Court. An arraignment is a formal court hearing where the defendant is officially informed of the charges against him — in this case, driving under the influence of alcohol — and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
8/18/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 2 COUNTS AGAINST PAUL ROMERO KARNES
What this means: The State Court of Liberty County formally filed an accusation — a written charging document — against Paul Romero Karnes on August 18, 2026, under case number 2026-SR-2332. Prosecutor Hunter Breningstall and Solicitor General Chestley N. Merritt, Jr. brought two misdemeanor charges against Karnes stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred on or about April 24, 2026.
Count 1 accuses Paul Romero Karnes of Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol), under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1). This charge alleges that Karnes drove a vehicle on the roads of Liberty County while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for him to drive.
Count 2 accuses Paul Romero Karnes of Driving Under the Influence (Per Se), under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(5). This charge alleges that Karnes drove a vehicle in Liberty County while his blood alcohol concentration was .08 grams or more within three hours of driving, from alcohol consumed before driving.
8/18/26
PAUL ROMERO KARNES PLEADS GUILTY AT ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: At his arraignment on August 18, 2026, in the State Court of Liberty County, Paul Romero Karnes waived his right to a jury trial and entered a guilty plea. The arraignment document, filed in open court and signed by Karnes and his attorney A. Johnson, reflects the guilty plea was entered on that date. Prosecutor Hunter Breningstall and Solicitor General Chestley N. Merritt, Jr. represented the State.
8/18/26
PAUL ROMERO KARNES SENTENCED IN LIBERTY COUNTY STATE COURT
What this means: On August 18, 2026, the State Court of Liberty County sentenced Paul Romero Karnes following his guilty plea. Count 1, originally charged as Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol), was reduced to Failure to Exercise Due Care, and Karnes pleaded guilty to that reduced charge. Count 2, Driving Under the Influence (Per Se), was entered as Nolle Prosequi — meaning the State dropped the charge and will not prosecute it.
Karnes was sentenced to a period of 12 months on probation, with fines payable to the clerk’s office by a set date. The court suspended the jail portion of the sentence on the condition that Karnes comply with all terms. If he fails to comply, the Sheriff of Liberty County is authorized to arrest him to enforce the sentence.
As general conditions of probation, Karnes is required to: not violate any criminal laws; avoid alcohol intoxication and narcotics; avoid disreputable persons and places; report to his Probation-Parole Supervisor as directed; maintain suitable employment; not change his residence or leave the state without prior permission; support his legal dependents; submit to breath, urine, or blood testing upon request; and pay a monthly probation fee of $47.00 plus a $4.00 photo fee plus $9.00 for CVEF until his fine or restitution is paid.
Additional conditions include: a fine of $2,000; 40 hours of community service or $400; and completion of DUI/Risk Reduction School (noted as completed on the form). A drug and alcohol assessment was also noted. The defendant was represented by Attorney A. Johnson. The order was filed in open court on August 18, 2026.