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Name:
Hudgins, Bradley Lee
Date of Booking:
04/29/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
POSSESSION OF A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
FAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PROP. DAMAGE
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF 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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on April 29, 2026]
On April 29th, 2026, at around 4:35 pm, I drove to the area of Oconee Connector and Mars Hill Road regarding a reckless driver complaint. The witness reported to Oconee County E-911 Dispatch Center that she had witnessed a white Fire Protection company pickup failing to maintain lane and crash into the concrete barrier. The force of the collision blew out the right front tire of the pickup, and she last saw the pickup traveling on Oconee Connector towards Mars Hill Road from University Parkway.
When I arrived, I saw a white Ford F150 pickup truck GA tag [REDACTED] with a blown right front tire in the driveway for the old Oconee County Fire Station #8 located at 1050 Oconee Connector. The right front tire was missing, and the right front wheel was sitting on the ground. I parked my patrol car and walked up to the driver’s window. I saw the driver, Bradley Hudgins, was leaned back in the seat, and he had his cell phone resting on his stomach. Hudgins’ eyes were closed, and his phone was rocking back and forth.
Hudgins woke up, cracked his eye open, looked at me and then squeezed it shut again. I attempted to speak with them and Hudgins did not respond, so I opened the door to check on him. Hudgins “woke up” and told me that he had blown a tire driving down the road. He claimed that he was waiting for his company to send someone to help them and that there was a medical issue with his front seat passenger.
While I was speaking with Hudgins, the front seat passenger, Anthony Hyatt, was coughing, rocking back and forth and moaning. When Hudgins mentioned Hyatt being sick, Hyatt looked at me and told me that he was not sick. Hudgins denied hitting the wall and insisted that it was just a blowout. Hudgins’ face was slack, his pupils were constricted, and his eyes were both bloodshot red and watery. Hudgins explained that he was in rehab with Hyatt and that Hudgins last used narcotics in October 2025. While speaking with Hudgins, Hyatt got out of the truck and laid down on the ground next to the truck.
Vehicle Search:
Deputy Koep had arrived to assist me and I had him speak with Hyatt. I had Hudgins get out of the truck and walk back to my patrol car. Hudgins told me that he was on active probation, and he had 4th amendment waiver. I had Hyatt join us by my patrol car. Hyatt was acting spastic and appeared to be heavily under the influence of narcotics. Hyatt gave me consent to search his person and no contraband was found.
I searched Hudgins, and he also did not have any contraband. Due to Hudgins confirmation that he had a 4th amendment waiver, I searched the truck for contraband. I found a gray backpack in the backseat. Inside of this backpack was a plastic bottle with a white crystal substance inside of it. I also found a black flashlight in a black 5-gallon bucket and the flashlight had Hudgins’ initials painted on it.
I opened the rear cap of the flashlight and found multiple yellow round pills with the imprint K/102 inside of the cap. These pills appeared to be a controlled substance and later, using the Drug Identifier on drugs.com, a preliminary identification was made of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride 20 mg. This is a schedule II-controlled substance.
Field Sobriety Evaluations:
I spoke with Hudgins again and we looked at the damage to his company truck. Hudgins insisted that the tire blew out while he was driving 60 miles per hour. He pulled over to wait for help. Hudgins agreed to perform field sobriety evaluations with me. I confirmed that Hudgins did not have any medical issues. He was not wearing glasses or contacts. I explained the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Evaluation to Hudgins and I confirmed he understood my instructions. I saw the following clues in both eyes:
- Lack of smooth pursuit
- Distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation
- Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees
Hudgins told me that he had been involved in a serious car crash over 5 years ago where he severed a large tendon in his left leg. The tendon had to be surgically repaired. Hudgins told me that he had difficulty balancing and walking due to this injury so I did not ask him to perform the One Leg Stand and the Walk and Turn Evaluations.
Hudgins did provide a sample of his breath in my agency issued preliminary alcohol sensor, and it returned with a negative result for alcohol. Based on the totality of the circumstances, I believed that Hudgins was under the influence of drugs to the point it was less safe for him to be driving. I had him sit in the backseat of my patrol car. I also detained Hyatt in handcuffs and had him sit in the backseat of Deputy Koep’s patrol car.
Arrest and Interview:
I read Hudgins the Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21, and he agreed to provide a sample of his blood for state administered testing. I also read Hudgins the Miranda Advisement, and he understood his rights. I showed Hudgins the pills that I found in the flashlight. Hudgins acknowledged the flashlight belonged to him and that he put those pills into the flashlight when he was still using narcotics several years ago.
Hudgins told me that the pills were Ritalin, and he did not have a prescription for them. Hudgins claimed he had forgotten about the pills being in there. The plastic bottle was allegedly salt that Hudgins carried around with him for when he was drinking alcohol.
I did not find Hudgins statements to be credible as the pills did not appear to have deteriorated as one would expect being inside a battery case.
Vehicle Disposition:
I spoke with the owner of the company that Hudgins and Hyatt worked for. He requested that we have the F150 towed for safe keeping, and they would handle picking it up later. I requested Wilson’s Wrecker Service respond to impound the F150 for safekeeping.
Hyatt’s Charges:
I was notified by Deputy Koep that while Hyatt was sitting in his backseat, Hyatt threatened Deputy Koep, Sgt. Ellis and I. He threatened to “whoop our a*ses” when he was released from handcuffs. He also threatened to look us up on Facebook to find where we lived. For further information regarding this, see Deputy Koep’s incident report under this same case number.
Final Disposition:
I transported Hudgins to St. Mary’s Healthcare System where we met with Phlebotomist [REDACTED]. Hudgins signed the hospital’s consent form and Phlebotomist [REDACTED] drew two samples of Hudgins’ blood and sealed them in a GBI Blood Alcohol Toxicology Kit. I collected the sealed kit and transported Hudgins to the Oconee County Jail where he was booked in without further incident.
The flashlight with the pills, the plastic bottle and the blood kit were all booked into evidence at the sheriff’s office using evidence locker #10. I later obtained warrants for Hudgins for possession of a schedule II-controlled substance and I issued Hudgins citations for DUI-drugs and failure to report a crash with over 500 dollars in damage.
Witness Statement:
I called and spoke with the witness. She told me that she originally saw Hudgins’ white truck on University Parkway in Barrow County. Initially she saw that the truck was tailgating a chicken truck. Then she saw the truck swerving back and forth. The driver of the truck failed to maintain lane multiple times on both the shoulder and the left lane.
They entered Oconee County and were on University Parkway near Jimmy Daniel Road when the road shifted to the left. The driver of the truck did not shift and instead crashed into the concrete barrier. The driver continued eastbound and eventually turned off onto Oconee Connector. As the driver continued, the tire disintegrated and came off.
I drove to the area indicated by the witness and I saw fresh damage to the concrete barriers on eastbound University Parkway west of Jimmy Daniel Road. It appeared to be such a hard hit that large chunks of concrete had broken off of the barrier. Photographs were taken of this damage.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on April 29, 2026]
On 4-29-26 I was assisting Sgt. Ogan on a disabled vehicle call for service. Upon arrival, I made contact with Anthony Hyatt on the passenger side of the vehicle. Hyatt was acting in an irrational manner. Hyatt jumped under the rear of the truck wedging himself between the muffler and the ground. I asked Hyatt twice for his identification before he acknowledged me and handed me his wallet.
While Sgt. Ogan was conducting a vehicle search Hyatt was observed nodding off while sitting on the patrol vehicle front bumper on several occasions. Hyatt appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. During this incident narcotics were discovered in the vehicle and Sgt. Ogan detained Anthony Hyatt during the investigation.
Hyatt was placed in the rear of ny patrol vehicle. While Hyatt was in the back seat of my patrol vehicle he stated the following, “Get these handcuff’s off me, and I’ll whip all three your a*ses”. Hyatt was referring to Sgt. Ogan, Sgt. Ellis and I. Hyatt also stated “I’m going to look you up on Facebook and f*ck your ol’ lady”, Hyatt was placed under arrest and transported to the Oconee county Jail.
[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 is a listed co-defendant in this case. Please see Anthony Hyatt for additional information.
4/29/26
BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS BOOKED INTO OCONEE COUNTY JAIL
What this means: Bradley Lee Hudgins was booked into the Oconee County Jail on April 29, 2026, in connection with Case No. 2026MGWF000212 in the Magistrate Court of Oconee County. He is accused of Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, and Failure to Report an Accident Resulting in Property Damage. This was the start of his custody in this case.
4/30/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HELD FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: Bradley Lee Hudgins appeared before Oconee County Magistrate Judge Richard Connelly Jr. on April 30, 2026. At a first appearance, the judge informs the defendant of the charges against him, explains his rights, and ensures he understands the legal process ahead. The judge also reviews whether the defendant needs a court-appointed attorney and addresses any immediate custody or bond matters. This is typically the defendant’s first formal court proceeding after arrest.
5/13/26
UNSECURED JUDICIAL RELEASE BOND ISSUED FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: An Unsecured Judicial Release (UJR) Bond was issued on May 13, 2026, in Oconee County for Bradley Lee Hudgins in Case No. 2026MGWF000212. An unsecured bond means Hudgins does not have to post money or property to be released — he is released on his own recognizance, meaning his promise to appear. However, if he fails to appear in court or violates bond conditions, he can be arrested and held without bond. Under the terms of this bond, Hudgins is required to appear at all scheduled court dates. The bond document indicates that an arraignment is scheduled for June 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Magistrate Court of Oconee County.
5/14/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO SET BOND FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: On May 14, 2026, attorney Megan Dempsey filed a Motion to Set Bond on behalf of Bradley Lee Hudgins in the Superior Court of Oconee County, Case No. MGWF2026000212. The motion notes that Hudgins had been held in the Oconee County Jail since April 29, 2026, without bond on charges of Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, DUI/Drugs, and Failure to Report an Accident. The defense asked the court to set a reasonable bond amount and stated that if released, Hudgins would return for all court appearances and comply with all bond conditions. This motion appears to have been filed before the property bond was finalized on May 13, 2026, or was filed in the Superior Court as a parallel request.
5/26/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY S. BRETT MIZERAK ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: On May 26, 2026, attorney S. Brett Mizerak of S. Brett Mizerak, P.C., based in Monroe, Georgia, filed a formal Entry of Appearance in the Magistrate Court of Oconee County, notifying the court that he is now representing Bradley Lee Hudgins in Case No. 2026MGWF000212. This means all future court notices, filings, and legal documents related to this case must be sent to Mizerak on Hudgins’s behalf.
5/26/26
DEFENSE FILES MULTIPLE PRETRIAL MOTIONS FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: On May 26, 2026, attorney S. Brett Mizerak filed several pretrial motions in the Magistrate Court of Oconee County on behalf of Bradley Lee Hudgins in Case No. 2026MGWF000212. These motions are standard defense tools used to gather information, challenge evidence, and protect constitutional rights before trial. The motions include requests for prosecution witness information and contact details; disclosure of any deals or benefits offered to prosecution witnesses; production of evidence favorable to Hudgins under Brady v. Maryland (a U.S. Supreme Court rule requiring prosecutors to share exculpatory evidence); private court review of the State’s file for undisclosed favorable evidence; a Jackson-Denno hearing to determine whether any statements Hudgins made to law enforcement were voluntary; and suppression of any evidence allegedly seized illegally. Hudgins also formally notified the court of his intention to pursue discovery under Georgia law and elected to proceed under Georgia’s reciprocal discovery rules, meaning the defense will receive materials from the prosecution but must also share certain materials with the State before trial.
6/19/26
MAGISTRATE COURT CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED FOR BRADLEY LEE HUDGINS
What this means: A calendar call has been scheduled for June 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Magistrate Court of Oconee County for Case No. 2026MGWF000212. A calendar call is a routine court session where the judge checks the status of pending cases — confirming whether the parties are ready to proceed, whether any motions need to be heard, or whether a future hearing date needs to be set. No final decisions are typically made at a calendar call, but it helps the court manage its docket and move the case forward.