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Name:
Donahue, Zachariah Gaberial
Date of Booking:
02/04/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED BATTERY
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 February 04, 2026]
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 01:00, I, Cpl. A. Ortega, was dispatched to 162 Legacy Point, Clayton, Ga. (Mountain Lakes Medical Center) in reference to an assault report.
The dispatch center advised me that the hospital staff stated that a patient claimed she was punched in the face.
On scene, I spoke with hospital staff, who stated that a female subject came to the medical center seeking medical attention after being involved in an altercation. The female subject was later identified in Louisiana as [VICTIM #1] on her driver’s license. The doctor stated he noticed several teeth were missing, and [VICTIM #1] advised him that her boyfriend had punched her in the mouth. The doctor also stated that she would require an oral surgeon.
I entered the room where [VICTIM #1] was located and obtained her driver’s license. As I began speaking with [VICTIM #1], I immediately noticed visible facial injuries in the area of her mouth. There was a deep laceration on the lower lip, and the upper lip appeared swollen and bluish. Dried blood was observed near her nostrils and around her mouth. Inside her mouth, visible dental damage and bleeding were noted on the upper gum line with displaced upper teeth that appeared to have been pushed back. The injuries appeared to be recent.
After [VICTIM #1] had obtained X-Ray scans, I obtained her statement, and she stated the following:
[VICTIM #1] stated that she lives alone with her dog in her camper at lot [REDACTED] in the River Falls Campground. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had moved there in May 2023, and male who she identified as Zachariah Gaberial Donahue had moved into a nearby lot shortly after. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had met him while he was working at the campground, performing maintenance. [VICTIM #1] stated she had started talking to him around easter of last year, and they were friends for approximately six months before they started dating in October.
[VICTIM #1] stated that tonight he was visiting her in her camper and that they were discussing his personal issues. She said that Zachariah was worried about his seizures and that he was currently unable to work and obtain a license due to his seizures. [VICTIM #1] stated that she noticed Zachariah was upset and that he punched her “out of the blue”.
I then asked [VICTIM #1] how many times he had punched her in the mouth, and she stated it was only once. I then pointed out to [VICTIM #1] that I did not believe it was just one time, given the nature of the injuries. [VICTIM #1] once again confirmed it was just one time.
[VICTIM #1] pointed out that she could not recall much of the physical altercation because it happened so quickly. [VICTIM #1] also stated she felt like she “blacked out” for a minute after she had gotten punched in the mouth. [VICTIM #1] stated that after the physical altercation, she had gone to one side of the camper and separated from Zachariah and called his mother, who was later identified as [REDACTED], to come pick him up.
[VICTIM #1] stated that once Zachariah was picked up by his mother, she called her son to pick her up and take her to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
While I was obtaining [VICTIM #1]’s statement, Deputy M. Shedd and Deputy J. Deason had made contact with Zachariah and his mother at their camper in lot [REDACTED] and obtained his statement regarding the incident. See Deputy J. Deason’s supplement for further on his statement. It should be noted that due to technical issues, the photographs taken of Zachariah were attached to the linked files tab.
It should be noted that [VICTIM #1] was very minimal while recalling the events of the incident, and did state that she believed Zachariah needed mental health help due to his seizures.
[VICTIM #1] gave me consent to enter her camper and take photographs of the area where the physical altercation occurred. [VICTIM #1] was also given an F.A.I.T.H. card and advised on how to obtain a Temporary Protective Order against Zachariah.
Before meeting with Zachariah, who was located at lot [REDACTED] at the River Falls Campground, he agreed to complete a witness statement form, which is attached to this report in the linked files.
Based on the physical and testimonial evidence, Zachariah was arrested, and Deputy Deason transported him to the Rabun County Detention Center.
Because of an aggressive dog inside [VICTIM #1]’s camper, I was unable to enter and photograph the entire interior. I did notice red, dried spots on a window outside the camper, on both sides of the camper door, at the entrance near the inside doorframe, on the ground near a bed, and multiple napkins or cloths covered in a red substance lying on a table. The photographs were attached to this report in the linked files.
I charged Zachariah with Aggravated Battery and obtained a warrant on 2-4-26, which was attached to this report in the linked files.
Rabun County C.I.D. was notified of this incident.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on February 04, 2026]
On Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, at approximately 01:48 hrs, I, D/S J. Deason, responded to 32 Resort Drive Lot [REDACTED] in Lakemont, Georgia, in reference to a follow-up to an incident that had occurred at Lot [REDACTED].
I approached the camper in Lot [REDACTED], knocked on the door, announced myself as a law enforcement officer, and a male, whom I identified as Zachariah Gaberial Donahue, answered. I explained to Zachariah why I was there. D/S M. Shedd read Zachariah his Miranda warning, and he agreed to talk with us without an attorney present.
Zachariah told me that he was working at Lot [REDACTED], his girlfriend’s camper, [VICTIM #1], when a verbal argument ensued. Zachariah said that he was cleaning up storm damage for the campground. Zachariah explained that the argument with [VICTIM #1] started when he told her he needed to leave to help his mother pack their belongings because they were moving to a cabin.
Zachariah said he initially left [VICTIM #1]’s camper to dump storm damage, and when he returned to Lot [REDACTED] to continue working, he told me that [VICTIM #1] became upset with him, walked up to him from her camper to where he was working, got in his face, and pushed him. Zachariah said that he pushed her back. Zachariah said that [VICTIM #1] then open-hand struck his chest. Zachariah told me that he then closed-fist struck [VICTIM #1] four to five times. Zachariah said he was not trying to strike [VICTIM #1] in the face.
I asked Zachariah to show me where [VICTIM #1] struck him. Zachariah pulled up his shirt, and I noticed several scratches on his chest. It should be noted that the scratches on Zachariah’s chest looked more than 24 hours old. I had Zachariah show me his hands, and observed an open wound on the right hand of his middle finger knuckle, of which, through my training and experience, I recognized as an offensive wound caused when someone closed-fist strikes someone in the face, most specifically striking a tooth. I asked Zachariah which hand he writes with, and he replied, “My right hand.”
I observed a dried red substance on Zachariah’s pants, suspected to be blood. I asked Zachariah what the red substance was, and he replied, “dye.” Zachariah said that he does not work with any dyes. I took pictures of Zachariah’s injuries and the dried red substance believed to be blood on his pants. Ortega. Zachariah agreed to complete a witness statement.
CPl Ortega arrived on scene, and I provided him the above statement from Zachariah. Cpl Ortega informed Zachariah that he was under arrest. I secured Zachariah in the rear seat of my patrol car, which I had searched and cleared of contraband prior to transport.
I transported Zachariah to the Rabun County Detention, where I turned him over to detention staff without incident. I searched and cleared the rear seat of my patrol car, finding no contraband left by Zachariah. I turned the pictures I took of Zachariah and his witness statement over to Cpl Ortega.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
2/5/26
INITIAL APPEARANCE — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE HELD WITHOUT BOND IN RABUN COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT
What this means: Zachariah Gaberial Donahue made his initial appearance before the Rabun County Magistrate Court on February 5, 2026, following his booking on February 4, 2026. The Magistrate Court notified the Rabun County Superior Court in writing that Donahue was being held without bond, as required by Georgia law. Because the charge involved — Aggravated Battery — is a felony, only the Superior Court has the authority to set bond. This notice triggered the process of scheduling a bond hearing in Superior Court.
2/13/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE — KEN R. KLIMASEWSKI APPOINTED FOR ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE
What this means: On February 13, 2026, Ken R. Klimasewski (Georgia Bar No. 425168), an Assistant Public Defender with the Mountain Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Clarkesville, Georgia, filed a formal Entry of Appearance in Rabun County Superior Court. This document officially notified the court and the prosecution that Klimasewski would be representing Zachariah Gaberial Donahue on the Aggravated Battery charge under Warrant 260204. A copy was hand-delivered to District Attorney George R. Christian’s office. This means Donahue had legal representation in place ahead of his scheduled bond hearing.
2/13/26
BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 3/6/26 — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE
What this means: Judge Carlton H. Jones III of the Mountain Judicial Circuit signed an order on February 13, 2026, scheduling a bond hearing for Zachariah Gaberial Donahue in Rabun County Superior Court. The hearing was set for March 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The order was issued pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-6-2(e)(1), which governs the process for bringing a defendant before a Superior Court judge on the issue of bond when they are being held without bail. Copies of the order were sent to the Rabun County Superior Court Clerk, Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Fugal, Assistant Public Defender Ken Klimasewski, the Rabun County Sheriff, and Donahue himself.
3/6/26
BOND GRANTED — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE RELEASED ON $5,000 BOND WITH CONDITIONS
What this means: On March 6, 2026, Judge Carlton H. Jones III of the Mountain Judicial Circuit granted bond for Zachariah Gaberial Donahue in the amount of $5,000. The hearing was held in Rabun County Superior Court, with defense attorney Ken Klimasewski representing Donahue and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Fugal appearing for the State. The State had opposed bond, and the court noted that the alleged victim also did not support bond and had requested contact with the accused — a request the court specifically denied.
As a condition of bond, Donahue is ordered to have absolutely no contact with the alleged victim by any means — including in person, by phone, through social media, by email, or through third parties. He is also subject to a Fourth Amendment Waiver, meaning any POST-certified law enforcement officer may search his person, residence, or vehicle without a warrant while he is on bond. Additional conditions include: no alcohol or illegal drugs (prescription medication is permitted as lawfully prescribed), and no possession of firearms or any object whose primary function is as a weapon, including brass knuckles.
4/3/26
APPEARANCE BOND EXECUTED — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE RELEASED ON $5,000 SURETY BOND
What this means: On April 3, 2026, Zachariah Gaberial Donahue was released from custody after an appearance bond in the amount of $5,000 was executed through Fly Free Bail Bonds as the surety. The bond was signed by Rabun County Sheriff Mark Cornells and filed with the Rabun County Magistrate Court. This bond obligates Donahue to appear at all future court dates in Rabun County Superior Court on the Aggravated Battery charge. If he fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited and a bench warrant issued for his re-arrest.
7/1/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 1 COUNT FILED AGAINST ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE
What this means: During the July Term of 2026, a Rabun County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Zachariah Gaberial Donahue in the Superior Court of Rabun County. The case is docketed as SU-CR-2026-000164-J.
Count 1 charges Donahue with Aggravated Battery under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-24. Aggravated Battery in Georgia means a person is accused of intentionally causing bodily harm to another person by depriving them of a body part, rendering a body part useless, or seriously disfiguring their body or a body part. Donahue is accused of — not convicted of — this offense. The indictment also reflects that Donahue, through his attorney, waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty. District Attorney George R. Christian of the Mountain Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case.
8/4/26
STATE FILES CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CRIMINAL DISCOVERY ACT — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE
What this means: On August 4, 2026, the prosecution filed a certificate confirming that it has provided the defense with all required discovery materials in Case No. SUCR2026000164-J. Discovery is the process by which the prosecution shares evidence and information with the defense before trial. The materials provided include witness lists, police reports, medical records, the defendant’s statement, search warrant documents, and Zachariah Gaberial Donahue’s criminal history. The State also noted it intends to use prior convictions in aggravation at sentencing if the case proceeds that far.
8/10/26
CRIMINAL ARRAIGNMENT CALENDAR SCHEDULED
What this means: An arraignment calendar appearance for Zachariah Gaberial Donahue has been scheduled for August 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Rabun County Superior Court. An arraignment calendar is a court session where defendants are formally called before the judge, typically to enter or confirm a plea. Because Donahue already entered a not guilty plea through his indictment waiver, this appearance may serve to confirm that plea on the record and address any preliminary matters in Case No. SUCR2026000164.
8/10/26
ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE FAILS TO APPEAR — BOND FORFEITURE TRIGGERED
What this means: Zachariah Gaberial Donahue failed to appear in Rabun County Superior Court on August 10, 2026, as required for his scheduled arraignment calendar appearance. His surety, 24/7 Fly Free Bail Bonds, also failed to produce him. Under Georgia law, when a defendant does not appear as required, the court is obligated to begin the bond forfeiture process.
8/11/26
BOND FORFEITURE ORDER ISSUED — HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 12/16/26
What this means: On August 11, 2026, Judge William R. Oliver of the Mountain Judicial Circuit signed a Bond Forfeiture Order and Notice of Hearing in Case No. SUCR2026000164-J. The order declares that the $5,200 appearance bond posted by Zachariah Gaberial Donahue through 24/7 Fly Free Bail Bonds is forfeited due to his failure to appear. A show cause hearing has been scheduled for December 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Rabun County Courthouse. At that hearing, Donahue and the bail bond company must appear before the court and explain why a final judgment should not be entered against the forfeited bond. The Clerk of Superior Court is required to notify both Donahue and the surety by certified mail within ten days of the failure to appear.
8/12/26
BENCH WARRANT ISSUED — ZACHARIAH GABERIAL DONAHUE
What this means: On August 12, 2026, a bench warrant was issued for Zachariah Gaberial Donahue in Rabun County Superior Court. A bench warrant is a court order directing law enforcement to arrest a person and bring them before the court. This warrant was issued as a result of Donahue’s failure to appear on August 10, 2026. Donahue remains subject to arrest on the underlying Aggravated Battery charge in Case No. SUCR2026000164.
11/2/26
CRIMINAL CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: A criminal calendar call has been scheduled for November 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Rabun County Superior Court for Zachariah Gaberial Donahue’s case. A calendar call is a court session where the judge checks on the status of pending cases, addresses any motions or scheduling issues, and moves cases forward toward trial or resolution.