Anthony Johnston

Name:
Johnston, Anthony Lamar

Date of Booking:
05/12/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui – Alcohol (0.08 Gms Or More) – 1st

Taillights; Tag Light

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 May 11th, 2026 at approximately 2137 hours I, Sergeant Brandon Dix along with Deputy Sheriff C. Jones were on patrol in the area of North Expressway.

While patrolling, I observed a White in color 2019 Chevrolet Silverado bearing Mississippi tag [REDACTED] with a malfunctioning tag light that failed to illuminate the tag up to 50 feet. I got behind the vehicle and activated my emergency equipment while advising dispatch I was conducting a traffic stop. The vehicle came to a final stop in the McDonalds parking lot located at 1605 North Expressway.

After making contact with the driver identified as Anthony JOHNSTON (W/M /1980) and advising him of the reason for the traffic stop, Deputy Jones had him exit the vehicle and while I was speaking to him, I detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from his person. JOHNSTON admitted to consuming alcohol prior to our contact. I asked JOHNSTON if he would consent to standardized field sobriety tests and he consented to do them.

Once I medically qualified him, I administered the tests and the results are as follows:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, observed nystagmus in both eye at maximum deviation, and observed distinct nystagmus in both eyes prior to 45 degrees. 6 out of 6 clues observed.

Walk and Turn: Started the test too soon, missed heel to toe twice, stepped off the line provided.

One Leg Stand: Swayed after starting and put his foot down approximately 15 seconds in and stated he could no longer do the test.

Based on the circumstances, I believed JOHNSTON was impaired by alcohol while operating his motor vehicle. JOHNSTON was taken into custody by Deputy C. Jones who placed handcuffs on him, checked for proper fit, and double locked the cuffs. I read JOHNSTON the GA implied consent law for drivers over the age of 21 and asked for the state administered chemical test of his blood. JOHNSTON refused the state administered chemical test.

During a search for the source of intoxication, a firearm identified as a Taurus G2C bearing serial number G2CTLR15279 was located and a cooler full of unopened Bud Light beer bottles was located in the bed of the truck. The firearm was secured in my patrol vehicle. JOHNSTON’ s vehicle was turned over to a licensed driver.

JOHNSTON was transported to the Spalding County Jail where he was turned over to the jail staff and issued citations for the following offenses:

1. DUI (E25091)
2. Tag Light Requirements (E25092)

The firearm was placed into SCSO evidence for safekeeping and the rear of my patrol vehicle was searched prior to and after transporting JOHNSTON. My body worn camera was activated during this incident.

This case is cleared by arrest.

[End of Narrative]