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Name:
Evans, Pernell Lewis Sr
Date of Booking:
05/16/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault
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 May 16, 2026]
On May 16, 2026, at approximately 0720 hours, I, Officer S Moulton responded in non-emergency mode to [600 BLOCK] Meriwether Street Apartment [REDACTED], Griffin, Spalding County Georgia, in reference to a dispute call.
Upon my arrival I made contact with the complainant Ms. [VICTIM #1] who stated that Mr. Pernell Evans is upstairs in apartment [REDACTED]. She continued to state that he held her against her will and would not allow her to leave. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that there was no physical contact between the two but Mr. Evans stood over her and would not back up until she threatened to call the police. While speaking to me Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Evans has a warrant for his arrest and that the police have been looking for him.
Officer Kendrick, who arrived on scene, and I proceeded upstairs to make contact with Mr. Evans. Upon entering the open back door to the apartment, we located Mr. Evans seated in the bedroom. Mr. Evans was detained where I handcuffed him behind his back using two sets of handcuffs, due to his broad shoulders, which were double locked. Mr. Evans’ warrant was confirmed through dispatch as he was walked downstairs and placed in the back seat of my patrol car. Mr. Evans advised that there was some personal property he wanted to take with him, which was obtained and later released to jail staff. Mr. Evans also stated that he did not want to allow Ms. [VICTIM #1] to stay at the residence. However, Ms. [VICTIM #1] was able to provide mail with her name on it and the address showing she resides at the residences. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Evans had made comments of a threatening manner in the past.
Both Mr. Evan and Ms. [VICTIM #1] appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of this encounter. Ms. [VICTIM #1]’s statements did not indicate any violation of Georgia state law nor did she display any physical injuries.
Mr. Evans was transported to the Spalding County Jail where he was released to jail staff for booking.
My department issued body worn camera was activated for the duration of this call, as my in-car camera was activated while Mr. Evans was being transported.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on May 16, 2026]
On May 16, 2026, at approximately 0720 hours, I, Officer S Moulton responded in non-emergency mode to [600 BLOCK] Meriwether Street Apartment [REDACTED], Griffin, Spalding County Georgia, in reference to a dispute call.
Upon my arrival I made contact with Mr. Pemell Lewis Evans, who had an active warrant for his arrest. Dispatch confirmed Mr. Evans’ warrant which was out of Spalding county Georgia and he was placed under arrest by being handcuffed behind his back, which were double locked. Mr. Evans was transported to the Spalding County Jail where he was released to jail staff for booking.
My department issued body worn camera was activated for the duration of this call, as my in car camera was activated while Mr. Evans was being transported.
[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:
5/17/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING — PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR HELD WITHOUT BOND
What this means: Pernell Lewis Evans Sr appeared before Magistrate Judge Adam Grubbs of the Spalding County Magistrate Court on May 17, 2026, for his first appearance hearing. This is the initial court appearance after an arrest where a judge reviews the charges and decides whether to set bail. Judge Grubbs determined that Evans would be held without bond, citing O.C.G.A. 17-6-1, which allows a magistrate to deny bond in cases involving certain serious offenses — here, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon. Because the charge is one that under Georgia law can only have bond set by a Superior Court judge, the matter was referred up to the Superior Court. The Magistrate Court notified the Superior Court and the District Attorney’s Office of the no-bond hold the same day.
5/18/26
SUPERIOR COURT NOTIFIED — BOND HEARING DATE SET BEFORE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE
What this means: Chief Judge Scott L. Ballard of the Superior Courts, Griffin Judicial Circuit, issued a notice on May 18, 2026, to the Spalding County District Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. Because Pernell Lewis Evans Sr was being held without bail on an Aggravated Assault charge — an offense that under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1 requires a Superior Court judge to set bond — a hearing was formally scheduled. The hearing was set for May 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge W. Fletcher Sams at the Spalding County Courthouse in Griffin, Georgia. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office was directed to have Evans present at that time.
5/19/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR
What this means: On May 19, 2026, Rebekah Sprayberry, an Assistant Public Defender with the Griffin Circuit Public Defender’s Office, filed an Entry of Appearance in the Superior Court of Spalding County, formally becoming the attorney of record for Pernell Lewis Evans Sr in case number 26FAH-0878 WFS. The charges listed at the time of her entry were Aggravated Assault and Battery (M). An Entry of Appearance is a formal notice to the court and the prosecution that an attorney is now representing the defendant.
5/29/26
BOND SET AT $75,000 WITH CONDITIONS — PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR
What this means: The Superior Court of Spalding County issued a Bond Order on May 29, 2026, setting bond for Pernell Lewis Evans Sr at $75,000 in case number 26FAH-0878. The court imposed the following conditions on the bond: no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim or the alleged victim’s family; no contact with the address on Meriwether Street in Griffin, Georgia; no possession of firearms or ammunition while on bond; and no new criminal charges. This means Evans could be released from custody if he or someone on his behalf posts the $75,000 bond and he agrees to abide by all listed conditions. Violating any condition could result in the bond being revoked and Evans being returned to custody.
5/29/26
NOTICE OF VICTIM RIGHTS FILED — PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR
What this means: On May 29, 2026, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Arbatowicz filed a Notice of Victim Rights Certification in the Superior Court of Spalding County on behalf of District Attorney Marie G. Broder. This notice confirms that the alleged victim in the case against Pernell Lewis Evans Sr has been notified of their rights under Georgia law, including the right to be informed of court proceedings, the right to be heard at certain stages of the case, and other protections afforded to crime victims. Filing this notice is a required procedural step in criminal cases and ensures the court record reflects that victim notification has occurred.
6/2/26
COMMITTAL HEARING WAIVED — PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: On June 2, 2026, the Magistrate Court of Spalding County issued a Committal Order in the case of Pernell Lewis Evans Sr, under warrant numbers 26-EW-003070 and 26-EW-003071. Evans, through his attorney Rebekah Sprayberry, voluntarily waived his right to a committal hearing. A committal hearing — sometimes called a preliminary hearing — is a proceeding where a magistrate judge reviews the evidence to determine whether there is enough probable cause to send the case to a higher court. By waiving it, Evans gave up that review, and the case was formally bound over to the Superior Court of Spalding County for further proceedings. The order was signed by Judge Rita L. Cavanaugh of the Magistrate Court. State Attorney Elizabeth Arbotowicz and Defense Attorney Rebekah Sprayberry were both present. The case note reflects this event was docketed as a Preliminary Hearing on June 2, 2026.
6/30/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND REDUCTION — PERNELL LEWIS EVANS SR
What this means: On June 30, 2026, defense attorney Rebekah Sprayberry filed a Motion for Bond Reduction in the Superior Court of Spalding County on behalf of Pernell Lewis Evans Sr in case number 26FAH-0878. The motion asks the court to lower the current $75,000 bond. In support, the defense noted that Evans was arrested on May 16, 2026, that the $75,000 bond was set on May 29, 2026, and that as of June 30, 2026, Evans had been incarcerated for approximately 46 days because he has been unable to raise the funds for bond through friends and family. The defense also stated that Evans promises to appear in court whenever required. The court has not yet ruled on this motion based on the documents provided.