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Name:
Paul, Latoya Ann-Marie Louise
Date of Booking:
09/19/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI-REFUSAL
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
DUI – LESS SAFE- DRUGS
MARIJUANA-POSSESS LESS THAN 1 OZ.
DRUGS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER – MISDEMEANOR
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 September 19, 2026, at approximately 1427 hours, while patrolling the area of I-75 northbound near mile marker 186, I observed a black Honda Accord bearing Georgia license plate [REDACTED] following another vehicle at an unsafe distance. I activated my emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 187.
Upon approaching the vehicle, I made contact with the driver, identified as Ms. Latoya Paul. I requested Ms. Paul’s driver’s license, which she provided. I then identified myself and informed her of the reason for the traffic stop. While speaking with Ms. Paul, I detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed that Ms. Paul had red, bloodshot eyes.
Ms. Paul stated she did not realize she was following the vehicle too closely. At that time, I requested Corporal Manning to assist me with the traffic stop. I then requested Ms. Paul to step out of the vehicle, to which she complied.
I asked Ms. Paul about the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Ms. Paul stated that she does smoke marijuana. I asked Ms. Paul when she had last smoked marijuana. Ms. Paul stated she had smoked approximately 30 minutes prior to the traffic stop.
I requested that Ms. Paul perform standardized field sobriety exercises to determine whether she was safe to operate a motor vehicle. Ms. Paul consented to the exercises.
I asked Ms. Paul if she had any medical conditions or other medical reasons that would prevent her from performing the exercises. Ms. Paul stated that she did not.
I then conducted the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. I again asked Ms. Paul if she had any medical conditions or other medical reasons that would prevent her from performing the test, to which she stated there were none. While conducting the test, I observed six out of six clues:
Lack of smooth pursuit, left eye.
Lack of smooth pursuit, right eye.
Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, left eye.
Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, right eye.
Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, left eye.
Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, right eye.
While conducting the HGN test, I observed Ms. Paul fail to keep her head still on multiple occasions. I further observed Ms. Paul attempt to predict the movement of the stimulus rather than following it with her eyes as instructed.
I then conducted the Walk-and-Turn test. I again asked Ms. Paul if she had any medical conditions or other medical reasons that would prevent her from performing the test, to which she stated there were none. While conducting the Walk-and-Turn test, I observed six out of eight clues:
Cannot keep balance during instructions.
Starts before instructions are finished.
Does not touch heel to toe.
Steps off the line.
Turns incorrectly.
Takes an incorrect number of steps.
I then conducted the One-Leg Stand test. I again asked Ms. Paul if she had any medical conditions or other medical reasons that would prevent her from performing the test, to which she stated there were none. While conducting the One-Leg Stand test, I observed three out of four clues:
Starts before instructions are finished.
Sways while balancing.
Puts foot down.
I then read Ms. Paul the green Georgia Implied Consent Notice for persons age 21 or over and requested a blood sample. Ms. Paul initially consented to the blood sample. Ms. Paul was then placed in handcuffs behind her back, which were double-locked and checked for proper fit. At that time, Ms. Paul stated she was going to jail regardless and refused to submit to the blood test.
Ms. Paul was then secured in the rear of Corporal Manning’s patrol vehicle. While I was conducting the field sobriety exercises, Corporal Manning conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, Corporal Manning discovered drug-related objects, raw marijuana, a whole marijuana cigarette, burnt marijuana cigarettes, and pills that were not contained in their original prescription container.
I then returned to Ms. Paul and read her the Miranda warnings. Ms. Paul stated she understood her rights and wished to speak with me. I asked Ms. Paul about the pills located inside the unmarked prescription bottle. Ms. Paul stated the pills were two different types of prescribed blood pressure medication and Tylenol PM.
Ms. Paul was transported by Corporal Manning to the Monroe County Detention Center without incident. Her vehicle was turned over to Watts Towing Service.
Charges:
Following too closely
Possession of marijuana
Possession of drug-related objects
DUI – Implied Consent refusal
DUI – Less Safe (Drugs)
Possession of prescription medication not in the original container
[End of Narrative]