Korde Watkins

Name:
Watkins, Korde Zamir

Date of Booking:
08/15/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui – Alcohol And Drugs – 1st

Operating Motor Veh W/out Registration/Valid License Plate

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 08/15/2026 at approximately 0200 hours, Deputy Willetts conducted a traffic stop in the area of North Hill St and Georgia Ave in Griffin GA due to observing a vehicle with Expired Registration.

While traveling North on North Hill St near Georgia Ave in Griffin GA, Deputy Willetts observed a red Nissan Versa displaying expired Georgia tag# [REDACTED]. Upon observing the expired tag Deputy Willetts activated his emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop.

Deputy Willetts exited his patrol vehicle and made contact with the driver identifies as Korde’ Watkins (B/M Dob [REDACTED BY AGENCY]). While advising Watkins the reason for the traffic stop Deputy Willetts detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Watkins breath. Upon detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage Deputy Willetts asked Watkins if he had been drinking, to which he replied ” I had a few beers”.

Deputy Willetts requested an additional unit, upon the arrival of two City of Griffin Police Officers Deputy Willetts advised Watkins and the two other occupants identified as Antwan Tanner (B/M Dob [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) and [REDACTED] (B/M Dob [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) to exit the vehicle and stand with the Griffin Police Department Officers while he conducted SFST/ARIDE on Watkins. Deputy Willetts provide dispatch with all the occupants information to enter into NCIC to verify the status.

Dispatch advised Tanner had an active warrant out of Spalding County for Violation Of Probation. Deputy Willetts advised dispatch to verify if the warrant was valid, per dispatch warrant # (21SR2485) for violation of probation was valid and to place a hold. Tanner was advised he was under arrest, Tanner was placed in handcuffs behind his back which were checked for proper fit then double locked and secured. Tanner was placed in the back seat of Deputy Willetts patrol vehicle which was searched before and after he was placed inside.

Once Tanner was secured in the Deputy Willetts patrol vehicle. Deputy Willetts asked Watkins if he would be willing to perform SFST(Standardized Feild Sobrity Testing) to determine if he was safe to drive, to which he replied “Yes”.

At this time the emergency lights were placed on the scene light setting, which is solid blue lights and non-strobe. Deputy Willetts made sure there was a clear path free of debris and a safe distance away from the roadway.

Watkins was asked to if he wore glasses and to which he replied ” No, but he need them”. Watkins was asked if has he sustained any recent head trauma or injuries to his eyes, Watkins replied “No”.

Watkins was asked if he had any injuries to legs, knee, hips, or ankles that would prevent him from walking in a straight line or standing on one leg, Watkins replied “No”.

Watkins was instructed to stand with his feet together and hands by his side, he was then advised to stay in the position during the entire test. Watkins was asked do you understand? To which he replied “Yes”. Watkins was asked if he could see the tip of my finger which was being held in front of his. To which he replied, “Yes”.

At this point, Deputy Willetts began the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test by observing that the pupils were equal in size and Equally Tracking. While checking for smooth pursuit, Deputy Willetts observed a lack of smooth pursuit. Deputy Willetts also observed a distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation. Deputy Willetts then observed the onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. While administering the HGN portion of the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Six out of Six clues were detected. Additionally Watkins was moving his head to follow Deputy Willetts finger instead of just his and was advised to not move his head multiple times.

Next Watkins was advised to place his feet together and his hands by his side while given further instructions. Watkins was asked if he understood, Watkins stated,”Yes”

Watkins was given instructions on how to properly perform the Modified Romberg Test by demonstrating what he was supposed to do. Watkins was instructed to keep his feet together and hands by his side, tilt his head back and close his eyes and estimate the passing of 30sec. Watkins was advised once he believe 3Osec had passed to tilt his head back forward, open his eyes and say stop. Watkins was asked if he understands the instructions, to which he stated “Yes”. Watkins was advised to began, while Watkins was perform this test he was observed swaying and his eye lids were twitching and he was swaying side to side. Watkins advised he was done with the test at approximately 21 sec. In addition while giving Watkins the instructions he started to do the test before being told to begin.

Next Watkins was advised to place his feet together and his hands by his side while given further instructions. Watkins was asked if he understood, Watkins stated, “Yes”

Watkins was advised the next test while a eye test, Watkins was advised Deputy Willetts, will be making a circle in front of his face with his finger. Watkins was advised while circling his face follow the finger with his eyes and eyes only do not move his head. Watkins was advised the finger will come in toward his nose, but will not touch him. Watkins was advised his eyes will feel like they are going to cross and to let them. Watkins was asked if he understood the instructions, to which he stated,”Yes”. During this portion of testing lack of convergence was observed. Additionaly Watkins was moving head to follow Deputy Willetts finger.

Next Watkins was advised to place his feet together and his hands by his side with his pointer fingers out and the rest of his fingers in a fist, with his palms facing up while given further instructions. Watkins was asked if he understood, Watkins stated,”Yes”

Watkins was advised this test is the finger to nose test. Watkins was advised he will be given a series of commands which will consist of left and right. Watkins was advised he is given these commands he is to use the tip his finger to touch the tip of his nose. Watkins was advised if the command is left he will use the finger on his left hand to touch the tip of his nose and if the command is right he will use the finger on his right hand. Watkins was advised after he touches the tip of his nose to place his hand back by his side. Watkins was advised during this test he will tilt his head back and close his eyes.Watkins was asked if he understood the instructions, to which he stated,”Yes”. During this test Watkins missed his nose and was moving his head to his finger instead of his finger to his nose during the test.

Watkins was advised that the next test is the walk and turn, Watkins was instructed to place his right foot in front of his left in a heel to toe manner and place his hands by her side and do not move them until given further instructions. Watkins was asked if he understood the instructions, to which he stated ” Yes”. Watkins was advised that I would be demonstrating what the walk and turn is supposed to look like, after demonstration Watkins was instructed to take nine heel to toe steps, count out each step out loud, keep his hand by his side,on the ninth step turn like demonstrated then take nine heel to toe steps back.

Watkins was instructed not to stop once he starts until he has finished as instructed. While giving Watkins instructions he failed to stay in the position he was instructed to stay in, by beginning the test before being told to do so. Watkins was asked do you understand the instructions? Watkins stated ” Yes”. Watkins was instructed to began, Watkins did 11 steps down, failed to correctly turn, did 8 steps back. Additionally Watkins failed to keep is steps heel to toe ,failed to keep his hands by his side and failed to count each step out loud. Deputy Willetts observed seven out of eight clues, which were Watkins failed to stay in postion he was instructed to in the instruction phase, He started to soon, He missed heel to toe, He stepped of line, He did the turn improper, and He took to many steps.

Next Watkins was instructed to stand with his feet together and hands by his side while give him further instructions. Watkins was asked if he understood, Watkins stated,” Yes”.

Watkins was given instructions on how to properly perform the One Leg Stand Test by demonstrating what he was supposed to do. Watkins was instructed to keep his eyes on his foot, count out loud as instructed, keep his hands down by his side, and keep his leg how he was instructed. Watkins was instructed to begin. Watkins failed to keep his hands by his side and was having a hard time balancing. Deputy Willetts observed three out of four clues which were Watkins was swaying while trying to balance, used arms to balance and put his foot down to soon.

At this point, Watkins was read Georgia Implied Consent, to which he refused. Watkins was advised he was under arrest for driving under the influence. Watkins was placed in handcuffs behind his back which were checked for proper fit then double locked and secured. Watkins was searched then placed in the backseat of Deputy Willetts patrol vehicle, which was searched before and after he was placed inside.

Watkins was transported to the Spalding County Detention Center where he was turned over to jail staff.

Watkins vehicle was removed from the scene by [REDACTED] (B/F Dob [REDACTED BY AGENCY]).

Watkins was issued the following traffic citations- E26927(DUI) and E26928 Waming(Expired Registration).

[End of Narrative]