James Blankenship

Name:
Blankenship, James Ricky

Date of Booking:
01/24/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated assault on an officer of court while officer is on duty

Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-misd

Simple Battery Against Police Officer/LE Dog/ Corrections or Detention Officer

Terroristic Threats and Acts

Simple Assault

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 01/24/2026 at about 17:42 hours, I, Deputy R. Hammontree, along with Deputy Burch, Powers, and SFC Harrison, was dispatched to [1300 BLOCK] Bracket Ridge Rd in reference to a physical disturbance involving James “Rickey” Blankenship.

I spoke with [VICTIM #1]. He advised that Rickey had been drinking throughout the day and starting arguments with [VICTIM #2] about her useing and selling drugs. He stated that at one point, Rickey made a fist and acted as if he was going to strike him. Rickey then acted as if he was going to smack him when he tried to stop him.

When I spoke to [VICTIM #3], she advised that the dog had bitten Rickey earlier this date. Rickey was highly upset with the dog and wanted to kill it. She stated that the dog was behind her when Rickey came towards her holding the knife. He stated that he was going to kill the dog. At this time, she was in fear for her life, since Rickey was lunging towards her with the knife.

I went inside the residence and spoke with [VICTIM #2], and she stated that Rickey had been cussing and threatening to put his hands on her, [VICTIM #1], and [VICTIM #3] throughout the day, and that he had also been drinking alcohol throughout the day as well and was in the bedroom on the phone talking to someone.

At this time, Deputy Burch, Deputy Powers, and SFC Harrison arrived on scene and spoke to assist me with making contact with Rickey. Afterwards, I relocated to Rickey’s bedroom and made contact with him. Rickey stated that he got into an argument with [VICTIM #2] because she is using drugs as payment at grocery stores, and that [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #3] are standing up for her and taking her side in this situation.

I asked Rickey to stand up and put his hands behind his back while I placed him in handcuffs, checking for proper fitting and double-locking them. At this time, Miranda warning was read to him, and I asked him how he got his cuts on his face and hands, and he stated that the dog had bitten him and he wanted to kill it. I asked him if he tried to go after the dog with a knife, and he stated that he did, and I asked him if he did this with [VICTIM #3] in front of the dog and he stated no and that she was lying.

I told him there were several witnesses saying that he did and that he was under arrest. While escorting him into the living room, Rickey stopped for a moment to argue with [VICTIM #2], and this was when Deputy Burch placed his hand on Rickey’s left arm to assist in escorting him out of the residence and to prevent Rickey from arguing with other household members.

After Rickey was escorted outside the residence and to my patrol vehicle to escort him to jail, he made comments about finding Burch when he gets out of jail for putting his hands on him, and he was going to hurt him. After arriving at the jail and turning him over to the jail staff, Rickey made a comment to Deputy Burch, saying that when he gets out of jail, he is going to find him and cause physical bodily harm to him. Later on, the jail staff contacted dispatch and informed them that Rickey had struck jail Officer Lawson in the face for additional charges.

Rickey was charged with O.C.G.A 16-5-21 Aggravated assault FV, O.C.G.A 16-5-20 Simple Assault, O.C.G.A 16-11-37 Terroristic Threats, O.C.G.A 16-5-23 (E) Simple Batter law enforcement officer, O.C.G.A 16-10-24 Obstruction of law enforcement officer (M).

[End of Narrative]