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Name:
Howard, Michael Earl
Date of Booking:
07/05/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Ga Resident Has 60 Days to Change Name / Address
Failure To Obey Stop Sign or Yield After Stopping
Driving while License Suspended or Revoked – 1st Offense
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
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 7/4/2026 at approximately 1916 hours, I, Officer Haven, was patrolling the area of Chattanooga St, near Villanow St, when I ran the tag on the black Ford Focus that was in front of me. The vehicle returned with a Warrant for the listed suspect, Mr. Michael Earl Howard Jr, for failure to appear for DUI out of Hamilton County TN.
I then caught back up with the vehicle and observed the vehicle approach the stop sign at the intersection at Chattanooga St and Villanow St. The vehicle began stopping and did not come to a stop until after it passed the stop sign in the intersection. I then activated my emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and began speaking with the driver. I told him that the reason for the stop was that he did not come to a stop at the stop sign before turning left. I asked him if he had any reason for that. The driver stated, “nah I just rolled off a little bit.” He then stated that he was headed to the Goodwill, which was closed for the holiday.
I then asked him for his drivers license and then his insurance card. I asked Mr. Howard if his address was current on his license and he stated that it was not. He stated that he has been living at his new address for over 2 months. Mr. Howard was slurring his speech, fumbling for his documents, had glassy glazed eyes, and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
I then went and ran Mr. Howard through GCIC/NCIC. He returned valid through GA and had a warrant for failure to appear, original charge DUI out of Tennessee. While waiting for the return, Mr. Howard’s vehicle began pulling forward and then came to a quick stop. I then had him step out of the vehicle. When he exited the vehicle, Mr. Howard was unsteady on his feet. When I had him standing still, he was swaying in a circle.
I asked him if he forgot to put his vehicle in park when it started rolling forward and he stated that he did. I asked him how much alcohol he had consumed today, and he stated that he did not have any. I asked him if he took any pills and he stated that he did not. I then asked him why he was slurring his speech and swaying around and he stated that he was just arguing with his wife.
I told him that I believe that he was impaired and asked him if he would do any tests to see if he was safe to drive. He stated, “I’m good.” I asked him if that was a yes or a no and he stated, “yes or no for what?” I then I asked him again if he would take any tests and he said “tests?” as if he was confused on what we were talking about.
I then told him that I smell alcohol on his breath and I wanted to know if he would do any tests to see if it was safe to drive. He then asked for what reason. I then told him that he lied and told me he had not drank any alcohol tonight and I can smell it coming off of his breath. He then stated “I did not have none today” I then told him that I can smell it on him. He then stated that he did have 1 beer approximately 4 hours ago. He then asked if I could just let him go. I told him that I could not. I told him that he was also showing an active warrant through Tennessee.
We then began the tests. The first test was Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. I had Mr. Howard get into the starting position. I asked him if he was supposed to be wearing contacts or glasses and he stated that he was supposed to be wearing glasses. He did not have any glasses on and does not require any per the restrictions on his license. I then asked him if he had any recent head injuries and he stated that he was shot in the head a long time ago. I then checked him for equal tracking and equal pupil size. I then began the test.
During the test, I noticed a lack of smooth pursuit and a distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both left and right eye. The driver had 4 out of 6 clues. We then moved to the next test.
The next test was Walk and Turn. I had the driver get into the starting position. I told him to remain in that position until he was told to begin. I asked him if he understood and he stated that he did. I then gave the instructions and demonstrated the test. During the instructional phase, the driver could not remain in the starting position. He also attempted the test before being told to do so. I then had him get back into the starting position. I asked him if he understood all of the instructions and he stated that he did. I then told him to begin.
During this test, the driver missed heel to toe on every step. He raised his arms for balance. He stepped off line. He turned incorrectly. He took an incorrect number of steps by taking 10 steps on the 2nd pass. The driver had 7 out of 8 clues.
The next test was the one leg stand. I had the driver get into the starting position. I then gave him the instructions and asked him if he understood all of the instructions. He stated that he did. I then told him to begin. The driver then lifted his foot and put it down and began marching toward my patrol car.
During this test, Mr. Howard swayed, raised his arms, hopped, and put his foot down multiple times while walking. 4 out of 4 clues.
I then administered a preliminary breath test which was positive for alcohol. At this time, I placed Mr. Howard in custody. I handcuffed him behind the back, checked for proper fit and double locked them I then searched him for weapons and contraband. None were found. I then searched the rear of my patrol car for weapons and contraband, none were found. I then placed him in the back of my patrol car.
I then read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over 21 and requested a breath test. Mr. Howard refused and stated that I did not have a reason to stop him and that he was going to sue me. I reread the implied consent notice and asked for a blood test. Mr. Howard refused and stated that I did not give him a field sobriety test.
I called the next list wrecker for the vehicle. I then conducted an inventory of the vehicle. Cpl Pyper stood by with the vehicle for S Hwy 27 wrecker service to come and get the vehicle. I transported Mr. Howard to the Walker County Jail. He was turned over to jail staff. Upon entering the jail, Mr. Howard screamed that he was a part of the Aryan Brotherhood. He also told jail staff that I stole his glasses and $600.00 in cash. He did not have glasses with him during this incident and only had a small bag of change with him, which was turned over to the jail staff. I checked the rear of my patrol car for weapons and contraband, none were found.
Due to Mr. Howard having a warrant out of Tennessee, TN OLN-[REDACTED], I ran him by name and date of birth through Tennessee. He returned with a suspended license, suspended for two DUIs and no insurance. His most recent suspension was dated 02-14-2015. This means that Mr. Howard did not alert the State of Georgia that he had a suspended license from Tennessee before getting his license in Georgia.
Due to his license status in Tennessee being suspended for DUI, and Georgia is a reciprocal state, Mr. Howard was charged with DUI- Alcohol less safe (Citation number 135000917), Driving while license suspended (Citation number 135000918), Failure to obey stop sign (Citation number 135000920), and failure to update address on license (Citation number 135000919).
Mr. Howard’s driver history for Tennessee and Georgia has been added to the case file. Mr. Howard was served with a DD-1205 ALS for implied consent refusal.
[End of Narrative]