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Name:
Jones, Deontae Lashawn
Date of Booking:
06/30/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Possession Of Marijuana Less Than 1 Oz – 2nd
Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon
Dui – Drugs (1st)
Speeding
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 06/30/2026 at approximately 2136 HRS, I, Deputy T. Grier (Unit 220) was operating speed detection on Vineyard Rd near Cowan Rd. I saw a white in color 2020 Ford Fusion, GA tag # [REDACTED], traveling at a speed greater that the posted speed limit of 35 mph. I visually estimated the vehicle’s speed at 50 MPH. I activated my departmental Kustom Signals, Inc Golden Eagle III radar unit (serial # SE08211). I verified the unit was accurate earlier in my shift. I obtained a top speed of the vehicle at 53 MPH. I began to follow the vehicle and activated my emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The violator pulled into the parking lot of a gas station on Vineyard Rd at N. Expressway.
I made contact with the violator. I immediately smelled the odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle as I arrived at the driver’s window. I also saw that the violator’s eyes were red and watery. I asked for the violator’s driver’s license. He presented a Georgia Learner’s Permit in the name of Deontae Jones (DOB: ). I asked Jones to exit the vehicle.
I asked Jones when he last smoked marijuana. He stated he smoked earlier in the day. When I advised him that I could smell marijuana, he stated he had a “blunt” on the center console. As he spoke, I could smell the odor of marijuana coming from his breath. He showed relaxed inhibitions as we spoke. He stated he smokes marijuana before and after work. Jones was very relaxed and was smiling and laughing. At times, it was difficult to understand Jones’ mumbled speech.
Based on Jones admitting to smoking marijuana, the red glassy eyes, the odor of marijuana coming from his breath, the mumbled speech and relaxed inhibitions, I asked Jones to perform a field sobriety evaluation. He agreed. The results are as follows:
Stated he was only wearing one contact. Stated nothing wrong that would hinder his balance or ability to walk a straight line.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus:
Red/glassy eyes
Swaying.
Modified Romberg Balance:
Neither eye fully converged. They both stopped just as they started.
Estimated 22 actual seconds as 30 seconds.
Eyelid and body tremors. Green coating on his tongue.
Walk and Turn:
Missed heel to toe.
Stopped walking.
Raised arms for balance.
Improper turn/spun in one motion.
Did not count out loud.
4 of 8 validated clues exhibited.
One Leg Stand:
Sway
Raised arms for balance.
Reminded to look at foot.
2 of 4 validated clues.
At the completion of the evaluation, it was the belief of this deputy, a trained Drug Recognition Expert (DRE # 9210) that Jones was less safe to operate a motor vehicle on the roadways of this state. I placed him under arrest for Driving Under the Influence, placed him in handcuffs, behind the back, checked for proper fit and placed him in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects 21 and Over. I requested a blood test. He agreed.
I then conducted a search of the vehicle based on the odor of marijuana, Jones stating there was marijuana in the vehicle and looking for the fruits of the crime of DUI. I found a marijuana blunt on the center console as Jones stated. It appeared shiny and wet as it if was recently smoked. I also located a small bag of marijuana in the center console glove box. A loaded Glock 43X 9mm handgun, serial # AKBW287, was located in the backpack that Jones retrieved his driver’s license out of. A digital scale with marijuana residue was also located during the vehicle search. The vehicle was released to Jones’ mother.
I transported Jones to the Spalding County Jail. His blood was collected by [REDACTED] (EMT-A). She is employed as a nurse for the jail. Two vials of blood were collected at 2227 I-IRS. The blood was secured in the GBI blood collection kit and will be tested at a later date. I released Jones into the custody of the jail staff.
I requested a criminal history be conducted on Jones. The check showed he was a convicted felon. His original charge was Theft by Taking, charge tracking number 88411120221-04, with a date of 12/13/2017. He was given First Offender for the charge on 10/08/2018. The First Offender Status was revoked and showed a conviction date of 11/20/2023.
I placed the blood kit, marijuana, scale and firearms into evidence at the Spalding County Sheriffs Office.
I obtained arrest warrants for the following:
Speeding 40-6-181 Warrant # 26-EW-003980
DUI 40-6-391 Warrant # 26-EW-003981
Possession of Marijuana Less Than an Ounce 16-13-2(b) Warrant # 26-EW-003982
Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felon 16-11-131 Warrant # 26-EW-003983
Violation of Learner’s Permit 40-5-24 Warrant # 26-EW-003984
Possession of Drug Related Objects 16-13-32.2 Warrant # 26-EW-003985
[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:
7/3/26
DEONTAE LASHAWN JONES MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN SPALDING COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT
What this means: Shortly after his arrest, Deontae LaShawn Jones appeared before Judge Brennan T. MacDowell in the Magistrate Court of Spalding County for a first appearance hearing. This is a standard step that happens quickly after an arrest — a judge reviews the charges, informs the defendant of their rights, and decides on bond. Jones is accused of six offenses under case warrants 26-EW-003980 through 26-EW-003985: Driving Speeding, Drugs DUI, VGCSA Possession of Less Than One Ounce of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Georgia), Driving in Violation of License Restrictions, and VGCSA Possession and Use of a Drug-Related Object (a misdemeanor). The court ordered Jones committed to the Superior Court of Spalding County to answer for these charges. A bond of $5,000.00 was set on the Drugs DUI charge. Bond was denied on the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon charge. The officer listed on the document is Deputy Tommy Grier.
7/14/26
DEONTAE LASHAWN JONES WAIVES COMMITTAL HEARING — CASE COMMITTED TO SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: On July 14, 2026, the Magistrate Court of Spalding County issued a Committal Order in case 26FAH-1279, signed by Judge Rita L. Cavanaugh. A committal hearing is a proceeding where a magistrate judge determines whether there is enough evidence to send a case to a higher court for prosecution. In this instance, Deontae LaShawn Jones, through his attorney William “Bill” Imhoff of the Griffin Circuit Public Defender’s Office, voluntarily waived that hearing — meaning Jones gave up his right to have the magistrate review the evidence at that stage. As a result, the case was formally committed to Superior Court. The charges listed in the order are Driving Speeding (M), Drugs DUI (M), VGCSA Less Than One Ounce of Marijuana (M), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F), Driving in Violation of License Restrictions (M), and VGCSA Possession and Use of a Drug-Related Object/Digital Scale (M). The State was represented by Elizabeth Arbutowicz, ADA.
7/22/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER WILLIAM IMHOFF ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR DEONTAE LASHAWN JONES IN SPALDING SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: On July 22, 2026, William Imhoff, an Assistant Public Defender with the Griffin Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, filed a formal Entry of Appearance in the Superior Court of Spalding County, officially becoming the attorney of record for Deontae LaShawn Jones in case 26FAH-1279 SLB. This filing notifies the court and the prosecution that Imhoff is representing Jones going forward. The charges listed in the Superior Court filing include Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon or First Offender Probationer, Speeding, Drug-Related Objects (misdemeanor), Driving Without a License, DUI, and VGCSA Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce (misdemeanor).