John Collins

Name:
Collins, John Gunner

Date of Booking:
07/26/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS

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 July 25, 2026]

On July 25th, 2026, at 1650. I, Deputy Mendieta, along with Captain Owens, Sergeant Agle, and Deputy Cross. Responded to a domestic disturbance at [60 BLOCK] Moses Rd, Rabun Gap, Ga 30568.

Upon arrival, I made contact with [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2] through a window. They advised me that they were okay and that John Collins was upstairs. I saw a female, later identified as [VICTIM #1], come out the front side of the home toward Captain Owens. I asked [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2] if they could come through the back door and speak with me. I asked [WITNESS #1] if he could tell me what happened today. [WITNESS #1] advised me that John and [VICTIM #1] were arguing over moving out and financial stipulations. I asked [WITNESS #1] if John had been drinking today and if John had physically touched anybody today. [WITNESS #1] advised me that he was drunk last night and that he believes John did not touch anybody but was not sure because they were in his room. [WITNESS #2] advised me that she did have videos where you can hear John and [VICTIM #1] arguing in the home outside the room they were in. I can hear a verbal argument between John and [VICTIM #1] where John is telling [VICTIM #1] to take her kids and leave the home.

Captains Owens, Sergeant Agle, Deputy Cross, and I entered the home and made contact with John Gunner Collins upstairs, where he was sitting at a desk with 2 glass bottles of Jim Beam Bourbon. Captain Owens told Collins to stand up, turn around, and place his hands behind his back. I handcuffed John from the back, cuffs sized to fit and double locked. I advised John that he was detained, read him his Miranda rights, and asked if he would like to speak with me. He replied yes.

I asked him to tell me what happened today. He stated with a slurred speech that he was assaulted and then said I’m not going to say by who because I do not want to get her in trouble. He advised that they were in the middle of a split-up and that he was arguing with [VICTIM #1] to leave. He also advised that he was drunk and stated that he fell and busted his nose, stating that’s why it was bleeding and that [VICTIM #1] did not do this. Sergeant Agle asked John if he wanted to get checked out by EMS. John stated no. [VICTIM #1] stated during their altercation that John stated that he would kill her. At the time, there was insufficient probable cause to arrest based on an uncorroborated threat.

John stated he was willing to leave and stay at a hotel for the night. I gave John a courtesy ride to the Clarion Point Hotel at 64 White Oak Ln in Dillard. John checked in and spent the night there.

I advised [VICTIM #1] to email me the videos from her daughter’s phone so I could add them to my report.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on July 25, 2026]

In the later evening of July 25th, 2026. Corporal Ortega made contact with [WITNESS #3], who filled out a witness statement; in said statement, [WITNESS #3] stated: “I heard her boyfriend scream, “I’ll kill you and anyone you have come over to help you.”

On July 26th, 2026. I, Deputy Mendieta, along with Sergeant Agle. Obtained a warrant for the arrest of John Gunner Collins for terroristic threats and acts (16-11-37). I headed to [60 BLOCK] Moses Rd to serve the warrant. I made contact with [VICTIM #1] and advised her that I have an arrest warrant for John. I ask [VICTIM #1] if John is here. She said yes and that he is upstairs. I made contact with John upstairs; I advised him who we are, and I advised him to turn away from me and place his hands behind his back. I handcuffed John from the back, cuffs sized to fit and double locked. I advised him of why he was being arrested.

I searched John incident to arrest, which revealed no contraband. John was secured in the backseat of my patrol vehicle, which I searched and cleared for contraband prior to transport.

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

[End of Narrative]