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Name:
Baker, Jelicia Matrellus
Date of Booking:
06/27/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Possession Of Marijuana Less Than 1 Oz – 1st
Dui – Drugs (1st)
Dui – Endangering A Child While Dui – 1st
Speeding
Safety Belts; Child Restraint Law For Children Under 5
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 06/26/2026 at approximately 2351 hrs, I, Deputy T. Grier (Unit 220) was operating speed detection on Bleachery St near Railroad Ave. I was using my departmental issued Kustom Signals, Inc Golden Eagle III radar unit (serial # SE08211). I am a certified speed detection operator in the state of Georgia and verified the unit was accurate earlier in my shift. I saw a red in color 2014 Ford Fusion (GA tag # [REDACTED]) approaching at a speed greater than the posted speed limit of 25 mph. I visually estimated the vehicle’s speed at 40 mph. I obtained a peak speed of the vehicle at 43 mph. As I was stationary, I activated my emergency lights, exited my vehicle and directed the violator to pull in a driveway to conduct a traffic stop. As the vehicle entered the driveway, it struck the curb with the driver’s side rear tire.
As I approached the window to explain the reason for the traffic stop, the violator, Jelicia Baker, stated she had marijuana and attempted to hand me a bag. I advised her that I could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. I also looked in the rear and say a young male that was not properly restrained in his car seat. The child did not have shoulder straps. Baker stated the child was her three (3) year old son and she had recently picked him up. I asked Baker to exit the vehicle.
While I spoke with Baker, she stated she smokes marijuana every other day and that she last smoked marijuana about an hour prior to the traffic stop. She stated she was in the parking lot of her job. She then went and picked her son up from her mother. As she spoke, I could smell the odor of marijuana coming from her breath. I also noticed her eyes were red. I asked Baker to perform a field sobriety evaluation. She agreed. The results are as follows:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus:
Wearing contacts.
She was unable to follow the stimulus.
She could not control her eyes and would look other places.
Modified Romberg Balance:
Impaired perception of time (Estimated 10 actual seconds as 30)
Stated she guessed.
Lack of Convergance:
Again she was unable to control her eyes and follow as instructed.
Walk and Turn:
No injuries or issues stated.
Removed sandals.
Lost balance during instructions.
Hesitated to take first step as if trying to keep balance.
Missed heel to toe on all steps.
Improper turn (wrong direction and lifted both feet)
Stopped walking.
One Leg Stand:
Swaying.
Put foot down.
Raised arms for balance.
Skipped count 1000-13
Due to Baker’s inability to remember and follow instructions, signs of impairment displayed, the odor of marijuana on her breath, the possession of marijuana and her stating she recently smoked marijuana, it was the opinion of this Drug Recognition Expert (DRE #9210) that she was less safe to operate a motor vehicle on the roadways of this state. I placed her under arrest for driving under the influence, placed her in handcuffs, behind the back, checked for proper fit and double locked. I then seated her in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I read her the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects 21 and Older. I requested a blood test. She refused the state blood test.
I contacted Baker’s mother, [REDACTED] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) per Baker’s request. [REDACTED] responded to the scene and took possession of the vehicle and the three year old male.
I transported Baker to the Spalding County Jail and released her into the custody of the jail staff for the following charges:
Speeding 40-6-181 UTC # E25970
Child Restraint 40-8-76 UTC # E25971
DUI 40-6-391 UTC # E25972
DUI Child Endangerment 40-6-391 UTC # E25973
Possession of Marijuana Less Than an Ounce 16-13-2(b) UTC # E25975
I also completed the DDS 1205 form as a refusal and issued Baker her temporary driving permit. She signed her notice of pending suspension.
The marijuana was placed into evidence at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.
[End of Narrative]