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Name:
Rivers, Ledford
Date of Booking:
07/13/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE
DUI – LESS SAFE- DRUGS
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 07/13/2026 at approximately 0211 hours, while patrolling in the area of I-75 northbound near mile marker 185, I observed a red Lexus bearing Florida license plate [REDACTED] failing to maintain its lane. I activated my emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 186.
Upon approaching the vehicle, I made contact with the driver, identified as Mr. Ledford Rivers. I requested Mr. Rivers’ driver’s license, at which time he provided a Florida identification card. I then identified myself and informed Mr. Rivers of the reason for the traffic stop. Mr. Rivers stated he was unaware that he had been failing to maintain his lane. While speaking with Mr. Rivers, I detected the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. I also observed that Mr. Rivers had red, bloodshot eyes.
I asked Mr. Rivers if he smoked marijuana, to which he replied that he did. I then asked if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle, and he stated there was not. At that time, I requested Corporal Manning’s assistance with the traffic stop.
I then requested that Mr. Rivers step out of the vehicle, with which he complied. As Mr. Rivers exited the vehicle, I observed him use the vehicle for balance while walking to the rear of the vehicle, nearly stepping into traffic.
I again asked Mr. Rivers if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, and he again stated there was not. Mr. Rivers then informed me that he possessed a medical marijuana card issued by the State of Florida and had smoked marijuana prior to leaving Florida. While speaking with Mr. Rivers, he continuously stated that he had not consumed any alcohol and was willing to submit to a breath test to prove it. I informed Mr. Rivers multiple times that the investigation was not related to alcohol consumption.
I requested that Mr. Rivers perform standardized field sobriety evaluations, which he refused. I then read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over, requesting a state-administered chemical test of his blood. Mr. Rivers requested to consult with his girlfriend, who was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle, before providing an answer. I informed Mr. Rivers that he could not consult with his girlfriend regarding implied consent.
Mr. Rivers then requested to call his attorney. I informed him that he could not contact his attorney prior to making his decision regarding implied consent. Mr. Rivers then requested that I read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice again, stating that he believed it only referred to blood alcohol concentration and not marijuana. I informed Mr. Rivers that the Georgia Implied Consent Notice applies to both alcohol and drugs and that marijuana is considered a drug.
I again read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over, requesting a state-administered chemical test of his blood, to which Mr. Rivers consented. I then placed Mr. Rivers in handcuffs behind his back, checked them for proper fit, and conducted a pat-down search incident to arrest. During the search, I located approximately $1,845.00 in U.S. currency in Mr. Rivers’ pocket. Mr. Rivers requested to keep a portion of the money and give the remainder to his girlfriend.
Corporal Manning escorted Mr. Rivers’ girlfriend, identified as [REDACTED], to the passenger side of my patrol vehicle. I asked Mr. Rivers how much of the money he wished to keep and how much he wished to give to [REDACTED]. Mr. Rivers stated he wished to keep $145.00 on his person and give the remaining $1,700.00 to [REDACTED].
Both Corporal Manning and I counted the money in view of our body-worn cameras and in the presence of both Mr. Rivers and [REDACTED]. I placed $145.00 back into Mr. Rivers’ pocket and handed the remaining $1,700.00 to [REDACTED].
Mr. Rivers was then secured in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. At that time, Mr. Rivers stated that he no longer wished to consent to the state-administered chemical test of his blood. I informed Mr. Rivers that this was his right. Mr. Rivers was then transported to the Monroe County Detention Center without incident.
After confirming that [REDACTED] possessed a valid driver’s license, the vehicle was released to her.
While at the Monroe County Detention Center, a DDS-1205 form was completed in reference to Mr. Rivers.
Charges:
Failure to Maintain Lane
DUI – Drugs Less Safe
Refusal to Submit to State-Administered Chemical Testing
[End of Narrative]