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Name:
Brundage, V, James Cephus
Date of Booking:
05/20/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE (1ST OFFENSE) 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 05-20-2026, I, Deputy Hollie, responded to a trouble unknown call, which was later determined to be a family fight. Upon my arrival, I was met by [VICTIM #1], who ran toward me yelling he had just been assaulted by his siblings. In an attempt to gain control of the scene, I ordered Mr. [VICTIM #1] to sit near my patrol vehicle, and he complied.
I then attempted to calm Mxlani Love, who was yelling and screaming continuously. Ms. Love refused to calm down. Deputy Spencer arrived on scene and spoke with James Brundage to gather his account of the incident. After speaking with Mr. Brundage, Deputy Spencer attempted to speak with Ms. Love to understand her side of the situation. Ms. Love was extremely uncooperative and yelled profanities at Deputy Spencer, stating, “You need to get the f*ck out of my face, I do not have to tell you sh*t.” Deputy Spencer explained we were investigating a crime; however, Ms. Love continued to be uncooperative.
During the investigation, Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated the incident began when he asked Ms. Love to send him his money. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated he had been in a mental hospital for approximately four months and Ms. Love had possession of four month’s worth of his money but refused to give it to him. I later received a similar statement from Ms. Love; however, she stated she was waiting for Temika Brundage to return before giving Mr. [VICTIM #1] his money.
After completing the investigation, I determined the predominant aggressor was James Brundage. Once Mr. Brundage was detained, Ms. Love ran out of the residence yelling and screaming at deputies, stating, “Y’all putting the wrong n*gga in handcuffs.” I advised Ms. Love multiple times to back away as we were conducting the arrest.
Shortly afterward, the mother arrived on scene, identified as Temika Brundage. Ms. Brundage began yelling and screaming and became unruly while interfering with the arrest process. I advised Ms. Brundage to back away from the scene, but she refused to comply. After Mr. Brundage was properly secured in the rear of my patrol vehicle, Ms. Brundage was placed in handcuffs, searched, checked for fit, and secured in the rear of Deputy Spencer’s patrol vehicle.
Ms. Love then began acting unruly and interfering with the arrest of Ms. Brundage by yelling and screaming at deputies on scene. Due to her continued disruptive behavior and interference with law enforcement duties, Ms. Love was placed in handcuffs, searched, double locked, and checked for fit.
All three individuals were transported to the Newton County Jail. Upon arrival, I secured my duty weapon and ammunition before escorting all three subjects into the intake sally port without 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:
There are listed co-defendants in this case. Please see Mxlani Aries Love and Temkia Keshan Brundage for additional information.
5/21/26
COURT FINDS JAMES CEPHUS BRUNDAGE V INDIGENT — PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED
What this means: On May 21, 2026, Newton Superior Court found that James Cephus Brundage V is indigent and unable to afford his own attorney. As a result, the Newton County Office of Public Defender, located at 1160 Pace Street in Covington, was appointed to represent him on the battery-family violence charge and all related charges brought by the State of Georgia in case number SUWA2026000726.
5/22/26
JAMES CEPHUS BRUNDAGE V ATTENDS FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING — BOND SET AT $1,500
What this means: On May 22, 2026, James Cephus Brundage V appeared before a magistrate judge in Newton County for his first appearance hearing — the initial court proceeding where a defendant is formally advised of the charges against them and their rights. The court set a bond of $1,500, meaning Brundage could be released from custody by paying that amount. The court also imposed a no-contact condition with the alleged victim, along with a standard set of bond conditions.
5/22/26
BOND POSTED — JAMES CEPHUS BRUNDAGE V RELEASED ON CONDITIONS
What this means: On May 22, 2026, a bond was posted on behalf of James Cephus Brundage V through A&J Bail Bonding in Newton County, securing his release from custody following his first appearance hearing. The total bond amount was $1,500. As a condition of the bond, Brundage is required to have absolutely no contact — directly or indirectly, in person, by phone, or by any other means — with the alleged victim. The bond form was filed with the clerk’s office on May 28, 2026.
6/11/26
ATTORNEY REKIYAH A. BAKER ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR JAMES CEPHUS BRUNDAGE V — DISCOVERY REQUESTED
What this means: On June 11, 2026, attorney Rekiyah A. Baker filed paperwork in Newton Superior Court formally announcing that she is representing James Cephus Brundage V in case number SUWA2026000726. Along with entering her appearance, Baker notified the State that the defense is invoking Georgia’s discovery statute — O.C.G.A. §17-16-1 — which requires the prosecution to share evidence it has gathered in the case. Baker also acknowledged that any motions to dismiss or resolve the case must be filed within ten days of receiving that evidence from the State. Baker is a State Bar member (No. 523660) based in Union City, Georgia.