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Name:
Moore, Thomas O’Neil
Date of Booking:
04/05/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Possess, Manufacture, Or Distribute Controlled Substances
Obstruction Of Officers – Felony
Safety Belts; Required Usage Over 18 Yoa
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 April 5, 2026 at approximately 13:41 hours I, Deputy R. Carr, was conducting stationary patrol in the area of E. McIntosh Rd and Main St when I observed a red pickup truck with a white male driver holding a cell phone and not wearing a seat belt.
After observing the two violations I pulled out of the spot where I was sitting and made my way through traffic to catch up to the red Dodge Ram 1500. I activated my emergency equipment (lights and sirens) and conducted a traffic stop on the truck that had GA tag# [REDACTED] displayed in the rear of the truck. As I approached the vehicle I made contact with the driver who I identified as Thomas Moore (W/M DOB:/1990). I advised Moore the reason for the stop was due to him not wearing his seatbelt and holding his cell phone when he passed by me at Main St. Moore handed me a North Carolina drivers License and stated that he was in town for a funeral and that he had just recently purchased the truck.
After speaking with Moore I stepped back to my patrol car where dispatch advised me that the plate on the red Dodge Ram did not come back to that truck it returned to a 1999 Freightliner truck registered to Georgia Environmental Specialists Inc. I also ran Moore through GCIC using his North Carolina Drivers License and got a return that his drivers license was suspended out of North Carolina.
I walked back up the drivers side of the truck and asked Moore to step out of the truck. Once Moore got out of the truck I went to detain him by placing him in handcuffs and Moore immediately attempted to run. I grabbed his jacket and arm and he began to attempt to fight me by swinging a closed fist at me and striking my left arm that was holding on to him.
While I was struggling to gain control of Moore the side of my vest that I carry my county issued taser on became unclipped and I was unable to reach my county issued Taser. During this struggle a White Lincoln SUV came approaching the area where Moore and I were at and Moore appeared to have been struck by the vehicle. Moore continued to try and fight to get away from me and due to not being able to reach my county issued taser and Moore still actively resisting and attempting to get away I drew my county issued Glock 17 (Serial # BRVW164) and began giving loud verbal commands to get on the ground to Moore. Moore began complying with my verbal commands and was given commands to get on the ground and to not move, Moore went down onto his stomach and placed his hands out and stayed there. I was able to get out on the radio during this moment to start requesting backup units.
While I was requesting backup units the male subject driving the white Lincoln SUV stepped out of the car and Moore stated that was his brother. The male subject attempted to grab Moore’s cell phone that he had thrown at his feet and I instructed him to put it back down the male subject asked why and I told him because he was not taking someone else property. At this time I holstered my county issued Glock and placed Moore into custody by placing his hands behind his back placing him in handcuffs checking them for fit and double locking them.
While I was placing Moore under arrest the male subject got back into the SUV and began to drive off. I radioed other units and advised them of the vehicle description of a white Lincoln SUV with a male driver and GA tag#[REDACTED] and that I watched the vehicle turn south onto N. 9th St from E. McIntosh Rd. While getting Moore up off the ground to get him out of the roadway Moore began complaining of arm pain and stating that he was hit by the car. I called for EMS to come check Moore and at this time I also observed that my body camera had been knocked off during the struggle with Moore.
I conducted a search of Moore’s person and then placed him in the rear seat of my patrol car until EMS could arrive on scene to check on him. I picked up my county issued body camera and observed that it appeared to have been ran over and destroyed to the point that it could not be turned on or off. I advised Dispatch to show my body camera out of service due to the damage. While I was waiting on other units to get to my location, Deputy C. Taylor located the White SUV and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and the vehicle without breaking speed limits failed to stop for him in a marked unit, Deputy Taylor did a supplemental report on his interaction and I was provided the drivers information of Michael Moody (W/M DOB:/1981).
Once EMS arrived On scene I walked Moore over to the ambulance for EMS to conduct a check on him and EMS stated that due to him being hit by a car he was going to have to go to the hospital. I removed the handcuffs from him so that they could conduct a proper evaluation of him and his injuries. At this time I was advised by Spalding GCIC that Moore was showing a active Federal Probation warrant for his arrest (warrant # 265801130523D). Spalding GCIC confirmed the warrant and a second case number was pulled in reference to the warrant (SCSO case# 2026-01954).
While I was still on scene Sgt. 13. Dix arrived on scene and began to review the dash camera footage in my patrol car: While watching the dash camera footage you can see that Moore was never struck by the vehicle. I also observed that the vehicle never slowed down or attempted to stop until after the driver had thought that he had struck one of us. It is visible on the dash camera that while I was struggling with Moore the driver appears to be aiming his car where I was standing in the road way and I had just stepped out of the way of the vehicle. After reviewing the dash camera footage Moore was taken back into custody and transported to the Spalding County Jail by another Deputy. I then called for a wrecker through Spalding GCIC for the Dodge Ram.
While I waited on the wrecker to arrive on scene I conducted a search incident to arrest of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle I located a temporary license plate (GA temp # [REDACTED]) that returned to the truck but was tucked in the driver side door. I also located a tan back pack directly behind the drivers seat that when I opened the bag I located a knife inside a sheath that on the handle of the knife and next to the blade I observed Swastikas on the knife. In the same back I located a blue in color glass pipe that had a thick white crystal like residue on the inside of the pipe as well as a black and red hookah tube that had the same white crystal like residue inside. I also located a small digital scale with white crystal like residue all over the scale.
After searching the vehicle I did not locate any other items in the truck and I removed the plate from the rear of the vehicle to turn into the tag office. I then turned the vehicle over to B&T Towing. I then took the evidence to the Spalding County Sheriffs Office and took pictures and was able to gather approximately 0.7 grams of the crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine from the pipes and scale. All items were placed into an evidence locker at the Spalding County Sheriffs Office. A county loss report was done on the damaged body camera and I was issued a new body camera.
I obtained warrants for Thomas O’Neil Moore III for:
Safety belts required usage over the age of 18- warrant # 26-EW-002584
Expired registration- warrant # 26-EW-002585
Use of wireless device- warrant # 26-EW-002586
Driving while license suspended- warrant # 26-EW-002587
Improper license plate- warrant # 26-EW-002588
Obstruction(felony)- warrant # 26-EW-002589
Criminal interference with government property- warrant # 26-EW-002590
Possession of drug related objects- warrant # 26-EW-002591
VGCSA possession of methamphetamines- warrant # 26-EW-002592
Possession of knife during the commission of a crime- warrant # 26-EW-002593
I also obtained warrants on Michael Moody for:
Hit and Run- warrant # 26-EW-002594
Obstruction(misdemeanor)- warrant # 26-EW-002595
Expired drivers license- warrant # 26-EW-002596
Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer- warrant # 26-EW-002597
Fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement (misdemeanor)- warrant # 26-EW-002598
[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:
There is a listed co-defendant in this case. Please see Michael Moody for additional information.
4/5/26
THOMAS O’NEIL MOORE ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN SPALDING COUNTY
What this means: Thomas O’Neil Moore was booked into custody in Spalding County on this date. He is accused of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances, felony obstruction of an officer, and a seatbelt violation. This is the starting point of the case — no guilt has been determined at this stage.
4/7/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING HELD
What this means: Thomas O’Neil Moore appeared before a judge for the first time following his arrest. At a first appearance hearing, the court informs the defendant of the charges against them, and the judge typically addresses bond — whether the defendant can be released before trial and under what conditions. No plea is entered at this stage.
4/21/26
PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD
What this means: A preliminary hearing was held in Thomas O’Neil Moore’s case in Spalding County Superior Court (Case No. 26FAH-0694). This is a hearing where a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to move the case forward. The prosecution must show probable cause that a crime was committed and that Thomas O’Neil Moore is the person accused of committing it. No details about the outcome of this hearing were provided in the case notes.
4/29/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR THOMAS O’NEIL MOORE
What this means: Sameerah Napper of the Griffin Circuit Public Defender’s Office formally entered the case as Thomas O’Neil Moore’s attorney of record in Spalding County Superior Court (Case No. 26FAH-0694). As an Assistant Public Defender with the Griffin Judicial Circuit, Napper is a court-appointed attorney representing Thomas O’Neil Moore at no cost to him. The entry of appearance was served on the prosecutor by hand-delivery or regular mail on this date. Going forward, all court communications regarding this case will go through Napper’s office.
6/29/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 13 COUNTS FILED AGAINST THOMAS O’NEIL MOORE
What this means: A Spalding County grand jury formally indicted Thomas O’Neil Moore on 13 counts under Case No. 26R-249B. District Attorney Marie G. Broder presented the case. The indictment was returned in open court and filed on June 29, 2026. Note that Thomas O’Neil Moore shares this indictment with a co-defendant, Michael Anthony Moody, Jr., who faces separate counts. The counts specific to Thomas O’Neil Moore are as follows:
Count 5 — Failure to Wear a Seat Safety Belt (O.C.G.A. 40-8-76.1(b)): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of failing to wear a seatbelt as required by Georgia law.
Count 6 — Expired Tag (O.C.G.A. 40-2-8): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of operating a vehicle with an expired registration tag.
Count 7 — Unlawful Use of a Wireless Device While Driving (O.C.G.A. 40-6-241(c)): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of using a handheld wireless device while operating a vehicle.
Count 8 — Driving While License Suspended (O.C.G.A. 40-5-121): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of driving while his license was suspended.
Count 9 — Obstruction of an Officer (O.C.G.A. 16-10-24(b)): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Count 10 — Interference With Government Property (O.C.G.A. 16-7-24): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of interfering with government property.
Count 11 — Possession of Drug Related Objects (O.C.G.A. 16-13-32.2): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of possessing drug-related objects.
Count 12 — Possession of Methamphetamine (O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(a)): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of possessing methamphetamine.
Count 13 — Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106): Thomas O’Neil Moore is accused of possessing a knife while committing a felony.
An indictment means a grand jury found probable cause to believe these offenses occurred. It is not a finding of guilt. Thomas O’Neil Moore is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise.
7/20/26
ELECTIONS, NOTICES, PLEAS AND PRELIMINARY PLEADINGS FILED
What this means: Formal pre-trial paperwork was filed in Thomas O’Neil Moore’s case in Spalding County Superior Court (Case No. 26R-249B). These types of filings typically include notices from the defense about how they intend to proceed, any elections regarding the type of trial, and other required preliminary documents that set the stage for the case moving forward.
8/4/26
THOMAS O’NEIL MOORE WAIVES ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: Thomas O’Neil Moore formally waived his right to an arraignment hearing. Arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally read the charges against them and enters an initial plea. By waiving arraignment, Thomas O’Neil Moore — through his attorney — acknowledged the charges without requiring the court to hold a formal hearing for that purpose.
8/5/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: An arraignment was scheduled for 9:00 AM on August 5, 2026, in Spalding County Superior Court for Thomas O’Neil Moore’s case (Case No. 26R-249B). Given that a waiver of arraignment was filed on August 4, 2026, this hearing may have been vacated or handled administratively on that date.
10/6/26
MOTIONS, CALENDAR CALL AND PLEAS HEARING HELD
What this means: Thomas O’Neil Moore’s case appeared before Spalding County Superior Court on October 6, 2026, for a combined motions, calendar call, and pleas hearing. This is a standard court date where pending motions are addressed, the case’s trial readiness is assessed, and plea agreements may be entered. The events that followed on this same date — including the plea, sentence recommendation, and final disposition — all stem from this hearing.
10/6/26
THOMAS O’NEIL MOORE PLEADS GUILTY UNDER NEGOTIATED PLEA AGREEMENT — SENTENCED TO FELONY PROBATION
What this means: On October 6, 2026, Thomas O’Neil Moore entered a negotiated guilty plea in Spalding County Superior Court (Case No. 26R-249B) during the September Term of 2026. The plea was negotiated — meaning the defense and prosecution reached an agreement on the sentence before going before the judge. No fines were imposed on any count. The First Offender checkbox on the Final Disposition form is not checked, so this is a standard guilty plea and conviction. The court entered the following judgment:
Count 5 — Failure to Wear a Safety Belt: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months probation. Concurrent to Count 9.
Count 6 — Expired Tag: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months probation. Concurrent to Count 9.
Count 7 — Unlawful Use of a Wireless Device While Driving: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months probation. Concurrent to Count 9.
Count 8 — Driving While License Suspended: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months probation. Concurrent to Count 9.
Count 9 — Obstruction of an Officer: Guilty. Sentenced to 5 years — serve 2 years, followed by 3 years probation. This is the controlling count to which all concurrent sentences run.
Count 10 — Interference With Government Property: Guilty. Sentenced to 5 years probation. Consecutive to Count 9, meaning this probation period begins after Count 9 is completed.
Count 11 — Possession of Drug: Guilty. Sentenced to 12 months probation. Concurrent to Count 9.
In practical terms, Thomas O’Neil Moore must serve 2 years of incarceration on Count 9, followed by probation. The consecutive 5-year probation on Count 10 runs after Count 9 is fully completed. General conditions of probation were also filed on this date governing the terms of his supervision.