James Edmonds

Name:
Edmonds, James Wesley

Date of Booking:
03/27/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

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 Thursday, March 27, 2025, at approximately 18:54, I, Deputy A, Ortega, was dispatched to the residence at [200 BLOCK] Emerald Lane, Lakemont, GA, about an assault that had just occurred.

Before my response, Dispatch advised that one party was being transported to the Habersham Medical Center by E.M.S. for a back injury.

On scene, I made contact with a female subject who was later identified through her Georgia driver’s license as [WITNESS #1], and she stated the following:

[WITNESS #1] stated she was the one who called the dispatch center. [WITNESS #1] stated she was in the front yard near the front gate. [WITNESS #1] stated she was having a verbal argument with her “ex-husband,” who was later identified as James Wesley Edmonds. [WITNESS #1] stated that James was sitting on the steps to the front porch, [WITNESS #1] stated James was “screaming” at her. [WITNESS #1] stated that her son, later identified through his Georgia driver’s license as [VICTIM #1], came out of the house at that point and walked up, squatted down beside James, and asked, “And what?” [WITNESS #1] stated that James stood up and grabbed a “two-by-four” that had nails on it and attempted to hit [VICTIM #1] with it. [WITNESS #1] stated that [VICTIM #1] was “deflecting,” and shortly after, James grabbed his throat,

I spoke to [VICTIM #1] and he stated the following:

[VICTIM #1] stated that he was inside the residence and heard James having a loud verbal argument with [WITNESS #1] outside, in the area of the front porch. [VICTIM #1] stated that as soon as he opened the door to go outside, James told him to leave the residence. [VICTIM #1] stated that James stood up and picked up a two-by-four with nails on it, and motioned it towards his face in an offensive manner. [VICTIM #1] stated that the two-by-four came within a foot of striking him in the face. [VICTIM #1] stated that James then threw the two-by-four on the floor, and then he “grabbed” him by his neck.

I asked [VICTIM #1] to explain to me how he was grabbed in the neck by James, and he stated the following:

[VICTIM #1] stated that James used both of his hands to wrap around his throat area and began putting pressure on his neck and squeezing. [VICTIM #1] stated it was approximately a second and a half, and he then pushed James off of him.

[VICTIM #1] noted that James then tripped over a plastic deer and fell on his back on the concrete slab. [VICTIM #1] stated he went over to James to make sure he was okay, and [WITNESS #1] called the dispatch center at that time. It should be noted that I did notice visible redness in the area of [VICTIM #1]’s throat while speaking to him. Refer to the Other Images tab for additional information.

I asked [VICTIM #1] if he was willing to write a witness statement form, and he agreed. Refer to the linked files for additional information.

I gave [VICTIM #1] a FAITH card and advised him of the services available to him. [VICTIM #1] was also informed of the process of obtaining a TPO against [JAMES].

At approximately 20:22, I, Deputy A. Ortega, made contact with James over the phone at the sheriff’s office and obtained his verbal statement from the incident. He stated the following:

James stated he was having a verbal argument with [WITNESS #1] outside the residence due to a previous incident. James stated he was sitting on the steps on the front porch. James stated that [VICTIM #1] came outside, and he told [VICTIM #1] to go back inside the residence. James stated that [VICTIM #1] then approached him, knelt beside him, and began yelling in his ear. James stated he stood up, and [VICTIM #1] “stuck his chest out” at him. James stated that he picked up a two-by-four to “defend” himself, and [VICTIM #1] told him, “Go ahead, hit me,” and he laid it back down shortly after. [VICTIM #1] said he then reached up and “grabbed him.”

I asked James to explain to me what he meant by that, and he stated that he started to “choke him” to get him away. James stated he used both of his hands when he reached up and placed them in [VICTIM #1]’s neck area, and it lasted approximately two seconds. [JAMES] stated that [VICTIM #1] then grabbed him and pushed him down. James stated that when [VICTIM #1] pushed him, he fell over a deer statue and fell on his back on a concrete slab. James stated that [VICTIM #1] fell with him. James noted that [WITNESS #1] began calling 911 at that time.

A warrant was obtained on 3/27/25 on James for Aggravated Assault — Strangulation (Family Violence).

On March 27, 2025, at approximately 23:17, I, Deputy A. Ortega, returned to [200 BLOCK] Emerald Lane for a follow-up investigation.

Before arriving at the residence, I contacted James via phone at the sheriff’s office to confirm he was at the residence.

On scene, I made contact with a male subject standing out in the front yard, whom I identified as James. I asked James if he was willing to write a witness statement form, but he refused.

I arrested James, handcuffed him behind his back, cuffs checked for fit, and double-locked. James was searched incident to arrest which revealed no contraband on his person. I secured James in the backseat of my patrol vehicle, which I searched and cleared for contraband before transport.

Upon arrival at the detention center, James was turned over to the detention staff. A search of the back seat after transport revealed no contraband.

[End of Narrative]