Brianna Fortner

Name:
Fortner, Brianna Makenzie

Date of Booking:
01/20/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
OBSTRUCTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

GIVING FALSE NAME, ADDRESS, OR BIRTHDATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

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 1-20-2026, I, Deputy Shedd, while on patrol on Georgia Highway 15 near Resort Drive, which is located within the jurisdiction of Rabun County, when I observed a black 2004 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia license plate [REDACTED] traveling northbound toward Clayton.

While following the vehicle, I observed it abruptly change lanes, crossing over the white lane line into the right lane before correcting back into its lane of travel. I continued to follow the vehicle and observed it drift within its lane numerous times, repeatedly crossing over the white line and correcting back. Over an extended period, the vehicle fluctuated its speed and failed to maintain its lane. As we passed Goat Mountain Road, the vehicle again failed to maintain its lane by crossing into the emergency lane before correcting back into the lane of travel.

As I closed distance with the vehicle, I noticed the window tint was extremely dark, preventing me from seeing the occupants or any interior lighting. Based on the vehicle’s driving behavior and my training and experience in impaired driving enforcement, I believed the driver was operating the vehicle in a manner consistent with impaired driving. Due to the observed traffic violations and to further investigate the driver, I initiated a traffic stop. A license plate inquiry revealed the vehicle was registered out of Villa Rica, Georgia, several hours from Rabun County.

I made contact with the occupants on the passenger side of the vehicle, identified myself, and explained the reason for the stop. I asked if there was an emergency due to the driver’s failure to maintain lane. The driver stated she was “trying to get to a hospital” and claimed she was “septic,” stating she was looking for a “burn unit,” which does not exist in Rabun County. I observed the vehicle was not traveling at a speed consistent with an emergency and displayed no emergency indicators.

I asked the driver for her driver’s license, and she advised that she did not have one and stated I could “follow her to the hospital.” I asked for proof of insurance, which she quickly produced on her phone and handed to the passenger. I was unable to read the information due to the passenger’s hands shaking excessively. The passenger stated she had “the shakes” and that it occurred frequently. I utilized my agency-issued window tint meter to determine the window tint percentage, which returned at 25% VLT. I asked the driver if her license was suspended, and she stated she simply did not have one. I then asked the passenger if she had a valid driver’s license, and she stated she did, but could not locate it. Both occupants began searching inside the vehicle. The passenger asked to exit the vehicle to search further, and I instructed her to remain inside.

I provided the occupants with a pen and paper and instructed each to write their full name, full date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number so I could identify them and determine whether the passenger could legally drive the vehicle. The passenger, later identified as Brianna Makenzie Fortner, wrote her own information and then leaned toward the driver, speaking quietly in a manner I could not hear. I observed Fortner hesitantly and slowly write the driver’s information, frequently pausing and speaking softly to the driver while doing so.

After a prolonged period, Fortner provided the name “Tiara Celest Queen,” date of birth [REDACTED], and the last four of the Social Security number “[REDACTED].” The handwriting was extremely difficult to read and appeared deliberate, with spacing and hesitation indicating significant thought. I advised both occupants I would confirm their information and read each name, date of birth, and Social Security number aloud. Both occupants verbally and physically confirmed the information as correct. I asked the driver how to pronounce her name, at which point she spoke so quietly I repeatedly had to ask her to speak louder. Due to the low volume, I instructed her to turn the vehicle off.

I then moved to the driver’s side and asked the driver to exit the vehicle so I could further investigate the traffic stop. As she attempted to exit, she moved her phone between her hands and reached downward toward the floorboard area, pulling up a jacket. After initially refusing to exit, I opened the door, at which point she reached into the center console with her right hand while looking back at me with an expression I described as fear. As the driver exited, I observed a clear plastic bag tied in a knot containing a white crystal-like substance in her right hand. She attempted to conceal the bag under her jacket and cellphone. I asked her what she had in her hand, and she shook her head, indicating “no.” I pulled the jacket back and observed the same clear bag, which I removed and placed on the hood of the vehicle. I then detained the driver in handcuffs.

Trooper Galloway with the Georgia State Patrol arrived on scene, and I instructed him to detain the passenger in handcuffs, which he did without incident. I advised the driver of her Miranda rights, which she stated she understood and agreed to speak without an attorney present. She admitted she had provided false identifying information and advised her true name was Brittany Daniele Blair, date of birth [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and provided the correct last four digits of her Social Security number. Blair admitted she had an active arrest warrant for shoplifting and stated she had learned of the warrant earlier that day.

Blair advised that the passenger provided the false information to cover for her and stated Fortner knew she was wanted. When asked about the substance in the bag, Blair initially stated it was “fake” and had been told it was cocaine. Based on my training and experience, the substance was consistent with crystal methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Blair stated she was supposed to return the substance to someone in Fulton County and was traveling to North Carolina to see her boyfriend. She stated the substance had been left in the vehicle and forgotten. I later heard Blair reference the substance to Fortner as “that stuff that got left in the car.”

I advised Fortner of her Miranda rights, which she stated she understood and agreed to speak without an attorney present. Fortner admitted she knowingly provided false identifying information for Blair, knowing Blair had an active warrant, and stated she was attempting to help her avoid arrest. A driver’s license check revealed Blair’s license was suspended for a Super Speeder violation and confirmed an active arrest warrant. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and no additional contraband was located. Phillips Towing responded and took possession of the vehicle. The suspected controlled substance was weighed at 8.11 grams, and then was placed into evidence for testing.

Blair was charged with:

1. Possession of Methamphetamine
2. Providing False Name and Date of Birth to Law Enforcement
3. Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
4. Driving While License Suspended

Fortner was charged with:

1. Providing False Name and Date of Birth to Law Enforcement
2. Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer

Warnings were issued for failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation.

[End of Narrative]