Paul Karnes

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]