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Name:
Ward, Thomas James
Date of Booking:
05/13/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Disorderly Conduct
Obstruction Of Officers – Felony
Obstruction Of Officers – Felony
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 05/13/2026 Deputy Clark responded to a person with an axe at [40 BLOCK] Cherokee Ave in non-emergency mode. Upon arrival, Deputy Clark’s body-worn camera was activated.
Deputy Clark advised dispatch that he was in the area in search of a person with a weapon. As Deputy Clark turned onto 5th Street, he observed a white male subject by the name of Thomas Ward (/1991 W/M) throwing a piece of plywood onto a residence’s front yard.
Deputy Clark did not see any weapons on Ward and advised him to come talk to him. Upon Deputy Clark’s observation, he noticed Ward becoming irate and noticed Ward had scars located on his back and chest. Deputy Clark began to try and calm Ward down. Due to Ward’s behavior, Deputy Clark attempted to place Ward in handcuffs. While attempting to place Ward in handcuffs, he began to resist by pulling away, kicking, and attempting to run.
While attempting to put handcuffs on Ward, Deputy Clark put him on the ground and was able to put handcuffs on Ward. Ward continued to resist while attempting to place him in the patrol vehicle. Deputy Clark was able to get Ward in the patrol vehicle and transported him to the county jail.
As Deputy Clark arrived to the county jail, Ward began to resist getting out of the vehicle, and he was then escorted to the holding cell by the jail staff.
Due to the markings located on Ward’s back and chest, the jail’s medical staff was able to check Ward out and advise that due to his elevated heart rate, the jail was not able to take him. Deputy clerk was able to get documentation from the jail supervisor in regard to not being able to take Ward into custody. Pictures have been taken of Ward, and the refusal form from the detention center has been added to the report.
Ward was then transported to Spalding Regional Hospital, where he was put in restraints due to his behavior. Ward is currently in the WellStar regional hospital. and has been charged with
Disorderly conduct
Obstruction x2
arrant No. 26-EW-003231
Warrant No. 26-EW-003232
Warrant No. 26-EW-003233
[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:
5/13/26
THOMAS JAMES WARD ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN SPALDING COUNTY
What this means: Thomas James Ward was arrested and booked into custody in Spalding County on this date. He is accused of two counts of Obstruction of Officers (felony) and one count of Disorderly Conduct. These are the charges that triggered the court process now underway in Spalding County Superior Court under case number 26FAH-0939.
5/15/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING HELD — BOND SET AT $5,000
What this means: Thomas James Ward appeared before Magistrate Court Judge Adam Grubbs in Spalding County on this date for his first appearance — the initial hearing where a judge reviews the charges and decides whether to set bond. Judge Grubbs ordered that Ward be committed to jail or post bond to be released. The case was bound over to the Superior Court of Spalding County, State of Georgia.
Three warrants were issued covering the charges: two counts of Obstruction (Felony) under warrant numbers 26-EW-003231 and 26-EW-003233, and one count of Disorderly Conduct — Property under warrant number 26-EW-003232. A total bond of $5,000 was set. The arresting officer listed on the document is Deputy Husan T. Clark.
5/26/26
PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD
What this means: A preliminary hearing was held in Thomas James Ward’s case on this date. A preliminary hearing is a proceeding where a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to require the defendant to face trial on the charges. No additional details about the outcome of this hearing were provided in the available records.
5/29/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE IN SPALDING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: On May 29, 2026, Rebekah Sprayberry — an Assistant Public Defender with the Griffin Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office — formally entered her appearance as Thomas James Ward’s attorney of record in Spalding County Superior Court. This means Sprayberry is now the official defense counsel representing Ward in case number 26FAH-0939. The entry of appearance was filed with the court on June 1, 2026, and a copy was served on the prosecutor.
8/28/26
ALL CHARGES DISMISSED AGAINST THOMAS JAMES WARD
What this means: District Attorney Michael H. Rogers, through Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Paul Richardson of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, filed a formal dismissal of all charges against Thomas James Ward on August 28, 2026. The dismissal covers all three warrants in the case — 26-EW-003232, 26-EW-003231, and 26-EW-003233 — which correspond to the two felony Obstruction of Officers charges and the Disorderly Conduct charge.
The State’s reason for dismissal is that after a thorough review of the case and evidence, prosecutors determined they are unable to prove the charges against Ward beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the legal standard required for a conviction, and when the State concludes it cannot meet that standard, it may dismiss the case entirely.
The dismissal document also notes that this disposition meets the criteria under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37(h)(1)(B) for the Georgia Crime Information Center to restrict access to the criminal history record for this arrest — meaning Ward may be eligible to have this arrest restricted from his public criminal history. The dismissal was filed and recorded with the Clerk of Spalding County Superior Court on August 31, 2026.