James Rowden

Name:
Rowden, James Preston

Date of Booking:
10/16/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

SIMPLE BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-CHILD LESS THAN 18YOA PRESENT/HEARS ACT/COMMITS FORCIBLE FEL/BATT/FV BATT-3RD 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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on October 01, 2025]

I responded to [2200 BLOCK] Pete Dickens Rd for a report of an active physical domestic. Per the caller, her grandfather was physically attacking her. Before my arrival, the complainant stated that her grandfather had left in a white Ford F-150.

When I arrived, I offered the caller to be seen by an ambulance. The caller insisted that she did not want to be seen by the ambulance. I then asked what happened, and she advised the following: Her grandfather was going through a mental health episode. He is diagnosed with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

On this date, he had backed up his pickup truck into another vehicle on their property. The pickup truck sustained minimal damage to the rear bumper. Her grandfather then became increasingly upset over the damage to the pickup truck. He decided that he was going to go buy a new truck instead of fixing the bumper. He was out for most of the day at a dealership in Winder. Her uncle was then called to bring a checkbook to the dealership. When they returned, her grandfather’s crisis continued as he was argumentative with everyone in the house. He then yelled at her to leave the house.

She explained that she was already on her way out. Her grandfather then stepped in front of her and grabbed her by the neck. Her grandfather began choking her and proceeded to smack her across the face twice. After the attack, she called 9-1-1 report the incident. She made it outside while she was on the phone with dispatch. Meanwhile, her grandfather then grabbed the keys to his truck and left the scene.

While I spoke with the complainant, I saw that the right side of her face was red, and I saw three fingerprints on the right side of her neck. Based on my observations, the injuries are consistent with how she described sustaining them. The complainant also then explained that her grandfather had recently been talking to a woman online. They believe that the woman has been convincing her grandfather that he does not need his medication. His conditions had already been in decline since his wife passed away about a year ago. Since he started talking to this woman, his condition has worsened faster.

I then followed up with a juvenile on scene. I was told that she was present and witnessed the incident. I asked the juvenile’s mother for consent to speak to the juvenile before I asked any questions. The parent insisted that I speak to her daughter to help in any way. I asked the juvenile what she saw. She told me that she saw her grandad hit her aunt. She then began mimicking a slap with an open palm repeatedly. She then explained that she yelled at her grandfather to stop, but he wouldn’t listen.

I then followed up with the caller’s uncle on scene, and he advised me the following: he confirmed the caller’s statement regarding the vehicle purchase. He further explained that when he got to the dealership with the checkbook, his father then assaulted him. Punched him repeatedly in the chest. His father was angry that he took so long to arrive at the dealership. The uncle then showed me a video he recorded of his father admitting that he smacked the caller as he was walking around to get to his truck and leave.

After speaking to everyone, I then had dispatch call the grandfather’s cellphone. The grandfather answered the phone on the first attempt. I spoke with the grandfather and asked him if he could explain his side of what happened at time. The grandfather stated that his granddaughter bowed up on him, so he may have smacked her around a bit. He was adamant that she deserved it. I then asked him if he was willing to pull over and have one of our guys pick him up. The grandfather stated he was willing, and he proceeded to give me the landmarks to describe the area he was pulling over.

Dep. Rainwater responded to that area to meet with the grandfather and transport him to the hospital for an involuntary 1013 commitment. (see supplemental.)

I then spoke with Judge Connelly and submitted arrest warrant applications for aggravated assault, simple battery, and cruelty to children. The warrants have been approved and signed. I then spoke with a DFCS social worker, [REDACTED], and explained the incident to her and how the juvenile was being listed as a victim.

Pictures were taken on scene. Witness statements were completed while on scene. All these things were collected and later submitted.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on October 01, 2025]

On October 1, 2025, I, Deputy Rainwater, was advised by dispatch to be on the lookout for a white lowered Ford F-150 with a temporary tag, reportedly driven by James Rowden. Mr. Rowden was a suspect in a family violence incident that had escalated to aggravated assault earlier that evening. Dispatch further informed me that the vehicle was currently parked near the exit for Pleasant Hill Road and GA-316 Westbound in Gwinnett County, and that it was occupied by Mr. Rowden.

Prior to leaving my location, I was informed by Cpl. Argueta that Mr. Rowden was to be taken into custody and transported to the hospital [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Upon arrival at the location, I located the described vehicle parked at the aforementioned exit. After visually assessing the vehicle to confirm there were no additional occupants, I approached the driver’s side and made contact with Mr. Rowden. I instructed Mr. Rowden to step out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest without incident.

I secured Mr. Rowden in two sets of handcuffs, ensuring proper fit and double-locking them. I conducted a search of his person and secured his personal belongings in an evidence bag. Mr. Rowden was then placed in the rear of my patrol vehicle, and I transported him to [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Upon arrival at the hospital, Mr. Rowden was checked in [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I removed his handcuffs and informed him that he would now be seen by hospital staff. As I was preparing to exit the room, Mr. Rowden attempted to leave the room and began physically resisting hospital security. I re-entered the room and assisted security personnel in restraining Mr. Rowden.

Once the situation was under control, I informed the hospital staff to contact me immediately if Mr. Rowden was not admitted, as criminal charges were pending. I was later contacted by hospital personnel and informed that Mr. Rowden had been officially admitted.

All of my interactions with Mr. Rowden, including the arrest, transport, and events at the hospital, were captured on my body-worn camera.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 On October 16, 2025]

On 10/16/2025 Mr. Rowden responded to the Sheriff’s Office lobby to turn him self in regarding his open warrant from this County. Mr. Rowden was taken into custody without incident and turned over to the Oconee County Jail.

[End of Narrative]