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Name:
Smith, Chandler William
Date of Booking:
01/30/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
EXPLIOT/INFLICT PAIN TO/DEPRIVE ESSENTAIL SERVICES TO DISABLED PERSON/ELDERLY/RESIDENT
EXPLIOT/INFLICT PAIN TO/DEPRIVE ESSENTAIL SERVICES TO DISABLED PERSON/ELDERLY/RESIDENT
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY – 2ND DEGREE
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 01/24/2025 I received account statements from a Bank in Oconee County due to concerns that the grandson of a resident in Oconee County was being exploited financially. The bank asked me to perform a welfare check on the account holder and verify charges and transactions coming from her account were authorized. I was able to speak with the victim in person who originally denied that any unauthorized charges were made to their account. They later stated that they have given some money to the grandchild and were unsure of exactly how much. I then proceeded to check in on the finances of the victim and gathered account statements through a subpoena. I showed them the statements and amount of expenditures made over the course of almost a year. It was at this point that the victim realized that they were had emptied their savings account from almost $80,000.00 to $0.01 to cover overdrafts from the checking account. They also alluded to the fact that they were intimidated and felt compelled to give money or pay for vehicles, repairs and electronic equipment out of fear that the grandson would physically harm them or cause more damage to the home.
I decided that due to the fear of reprisals it would be advantageous to seek warrants before the for O.C.G.A. 16-5-102(a) and O.C.G.A. 16-5-102(b) Exploitation and intimidation of elder persons along with O.C.G.A. 19-5-23 Criminal damage to property in the Second Degree for the damage caused to the home, driveway and yard during the time he spent the house. Chandler William Harness was arrested on the above charges on 01/30/2025, placed in properly fitting double locked handcuffs behind the back, transported and booked into the Oconee County Jail without incident.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
CASE HISTORY:
2/1/25
FIRST APPEARANCE BOND DETERMINATION – BOND SET AT $25,000
What this means: Chandler Smith appeared before Chief Magistrate Judge Richard Connelly in Oconee County for his first court hearing after being arrested. The judge set his bond at $25,000 for charges of exploiting/inflicting pain or depriving essential services to a disabled person/elderly person and criminal damage to property in the second degree. This bond amount allows him to be released from jail while his case proceeds through the courts.
2/1/25
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF BOND
What this means: In addition to the $25,000 bond, Chandler Smith must follow specific court-ordered restrictions while out on bond. These include having no contact with the victim, staying away from the victim’s home and workplace, following all required treatment or counseling, and other protective conditions designed to ensure public safety and prevent witness intimidation.
2/1/25
SURETY BOND – BOND CONTRACT
What this means: A bail bondsman named Aaron Bonding posted Chandler Smith’s $25,000 bond through a licensed bondsman arrangement. This means Smith likely paid a percentage of the bond amount to the bondsman, who then guaranteed the full amount to the court. The bond contract makes both Smith and the bondsman financially responsible for ensuring Smith appears for all future court dates.
2/10/25
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL DAVID GLENN WILLIAMS JR
What this means: Attorney David Glenn Williams Jr. officially entered the case as Chandler Smith’s defense lawyer by filing paperwork with the Oconee County court. This establishes the attorney-client relationship and means Williams will represent Smith throughout the criminal proceedings.
3/14/25
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FILED BY DEFENDANT
What this means: Chandler Smith notified the Oconee County court that he has moved to a new address. When someone is out on bond, they are required to keep the court informed of their current address so they can receive court notices and be located for future hearings.