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Name:
Rooks, Branden K
Date of Booking:
05/23/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Drug Related Objects
Pos of firearm/knife comm of c
Fleeing to elude
DUI of Alcohol
Obstruction of Officer
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
Speeding
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 23, 2026]
On May 23rd, 2026, at approximately 2042 hours, I was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of Highway 138 and West Spring Street. While stopped at the red light on Highway 138, I observed a gray 2013 Infiniti G35 (GA tag #[REDACTED]) in the straight lane to my right. At that time, I began to smell the odor of marijuana emitting from a vehicle in the area, but I could not determine which vehicle it was coming from.
Once the traffic signal turned green, the Infiniti and I continued straight on Highway 138 toward Rowe Road. I observed the driver of the Infiniti increase his speed to 61 mph in a 45 mph zone while changing into the left lane and passing two separate vehicles before the straight lanes merged into one lane. I followed behind the Infiniti, at which point I was able to determine that the odor of marijuana was coming from the Infiniti. I knew this because there were no other vehicles in front of the Infiniti, and only my patrol vehicle and the Infiniti were traveling toward Rowe Road.
At that time, I activated my emergency equipment and attempted to stop the Infiniti on Highway 138 near Rowe Road. The driver, later identified as Branden Rooks, slowed his vehicle to approximately 35 mph once my emergency equipment was activated but refused to stop. While behind the vehicle, I observed Branden reaching around inside the passenger compartment. Due to his movements, I was unable to determine whether he was attempting to retrieve or conceal a weapon or illegal narcotics, or possibly discard contraband out of the passenger-side window.
Branden passed several safe locations where he could have stopped, including Rowe Road, Vinies Drive, Coggins Road, Walton County Humane Society, A S A Cabinetry, and White Oak Way. As we passed White Oak Way, Branden increased his speed from approximately 35 mph to 50 mph. This overt action led me to believe Branden had no intention of stopping. At that time, I notified Walton County 911 that I was in pursuit of the Infiniti.
We continued on Highway 138, reaching a top speed of approximately 55 mph. Branden then made a right turn onto H.D. Atha Road, followed by a right turn into the Extra Mile gas station, where he finally came to a stop.
Fearing that Branden would attempt to flee on foot, I made intentional contact between the brush guard of my patrol vehicle and the driver-side door of the Infiniti in order to pin the door closed and prevent Branden from fleeing on foot if he attempted to do so.
I exited my patrol vehicle with my department-issued firearm and gave Branden loud verbal commands to keep his hands visible and outside the vehicle. Branden repeatedly placed his right hand back inside the vehicle and refused to comply with my lawful commands. I then approached the vehicle and transitioned to my Taser 7 (serial #X4001T67X). I continued giving Branden commands to keep his hands visible, which he again refused to comply with.
I then observed Branden reach toward the floorboard area with his right hand. Fearing that Branden was reaching for a firearm, I deployed my Taser, achieving full Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI). At that time, Officer Higgins arrived on scene, extracted Branden from the vehicle, and took him into custody while I maintained less lethal coverage.
Branden was searched incident to arrest. During the search of his person, I located $540 in U.S. currency in small denominations consisting of $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and the following items were located:
- (1) Green plastic container containing one marijuana cigarette, located in the center console
- (1) Loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm handgun (serial #JBC8907), located in the center console
- (1) 9mm magazine, located in the driver-side door pocket
- (1) Clear plastic bag containing marijuana (.393 oz), located in a green and black book bag in the back seat
- (1) Blue grinder containing marijuana, located in a green and black book bag in the back seat
- (4) Multicolored gummies suspected to contain CBD or THC, located in a green and black book bag in the back seat
- (1) Styrofoam cup containing an alcoholic beverage, located in the center cup holder
- (1) Open bottle of “El Mexicano” tequila, located behind the driver seat
While searching the vehicle, it appeared that Branden had attempted to throw the alcoholic beverage out of the vehicle, as tequila and liquid splatter were observed on the passenger-side interior door and passenger seat. The remainder of the vehicle was searched, and no additional illegal contraband was located.
Walton EMS personnel evaluated Branden following the Taser deployment, and he was medically cleared on scene. Branden was then read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21, which he agreed to, consenting to a blood draw. Branden was transported to Piedmont Walton Hospital for the blood draw. Upon arrival, hospital staff advised that no personnel were available to perform the blood draw.
Branden was then escorted out of the hospital and again read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21, at which time he consented to provide a breath sample. Branden was transported to the Monroe Police Department, where Officer Higgins administered the breath test using the Intoxilyzer 9000. The test results were 0.012 and 0.016, both below the legal limit.
I believe Branden’s alcohol concentration had decreased between the initial stop time of approximately 2042 hours and the breath sample obtained at 2204 hours. After providing the breath sample, Branden was read his Miranda Warning, which he stated he understood. I asked Branden how much alcohol he had consumed, and he stated he had only consumed the drink located in the vehicle, which contained some of the tequila found behind the driver seat.
I also asked Branden whether he had been smoking marijuana inside the vehicle. Branden stated the marijuana cigarette had been extinguished prior to me initiating the traffic stop. I believe this statement to be false due to my ability to smell the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle while following behind it prior to the stop.
Branden additionally admitted to smoking Marijuana prior to driving the vehicle. Due to the combination of alcohol and drug use, along with Branden’s watery and bloodshot eyes, driving mannerisms and the odor of alcohol emitting from his person, Branden was charged with driving under the influence of multiple substances.
Branden was transported to the Walton County Jail, where he was turned over to jail staff without incident. Branden’s vehicle was impounded by Taylor’s Wrecker Service. All evidence was logged onto property receipts #37216 and #37215.
During transport, Branden’s handcuffs were double locked and checked for proper fitment. Branden was secured with a seatbelt during transport. My patrol vehicle was checked both prior to and after transport to ensure no contraband was left in the rear seating area.
Trooper E. Smith #0915 responded and completed a crash report for the contact between my vehicle and Branden’s vehicle. GSP Case #C001065402. A Vehicle Pursuit Form and Use of Force Form were completed and uploaded with this report.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on May 23, 2026]
On 05/23/2026 at approximately 2042 hours, I was traveling eastbound on Highway 78 when I heard Sgt. Rutledge request an additional unit for a traffic stop in the area of Highway 138 and Rowe Road. I advised Dispatch via radio that I was en route to assist. Shortly after this, Sgt. Rutledge advised over the radio that the vehicle was failing to yield.
At that time, I had exited Highway 78 eastbound onto Charlotte Rowell and was crossing over West Spring Street when Sgt. Rutledge requested that I increase my response speed. I then activated my blue lights and siren and continued toward the location at a high rate of speed. Sgt. Rutledge then advised Dispatch that he was actively in pursuit of the vehicle.
While attempting to catch up to the pursuit, Sgt. Rutledge advised over the radio that the vehicle had turned right onto HD Atha Road and was pulling into the “Extra Mile” gas station located at the corner of Highway 138 and HD Atha Road. He also made note that his vehicle had made contact with the suspect vehicle upon pulling into the gas station. I arrived on scene moments later and observed Sgt. Rutledge had deployed his Taser through the driver-side window of the vehicle.
I exited my patrol vehicle and approached the passenger side of the suspect vehicle. While doing so, I drew my department-issued Taser as well to ensure the driver was complying with the commands given to him. Sgt. Rutledge then requested that I move to the driver-side door and remove the driver from the vehicle while he maintained coverage.
I removed the driver from the vehicle without incident and placed him in handcuffs behind his back. The handcuffs were double-locked and checked for proper fitment. The driver was then escorted and secured in the rear of Sgt. Rutledge’s patrol vehicle.
EMS arrived a short time later and evaluated the driver, Identified as Branden Rooks, due to the Taser deployment. After the Rooks was medically cleared by EMS, I assisted Sgt. Rutledge in searching the vehicle. Refer to Sgt. Rutledge’s narrative for details regarding items located during the search.
After the search was completed and the vehicle was retrieved by Taylor’s, we transported Rooks to Piedmont Walton in an attempt to obtain a blood sample, as he had consented to a blood test based off the suspicion of DUI. Upon arrival, we were advised that no phlebotomist was available to perform the blood draw. We then transported Rooks to Monroe Police Department for a breath test.
At Monroe Police Department, I operated the Intoxilyzer 9000 after the driver consented to a breath test. The first breath sample registered a result of 0.012, and the second sample registered a result of 0.016. After the completion of the breath test, Sgt. Rutledge transported Rooks to the Walton County Jail. I then returned to service without further incident.
[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:
5/27/26
BOND SET FOR BRANDEN KENNETH ROOKS — A&A COGGINS BONDING NAMED AS SECURITY
What this means: A bond was issued for Branden Kenneth Rooks, allowing him the opportunity to be released from custody while his case moves through Walton Superior Court. The bond document lists A&A Coggins Bonding as the security, meaning that company is guaranteeing Rooks will appear for all future court dates. If Rooks fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited and a bench warrant issued for his arrest. The bond is tied to all charges from the May 23, 2026 arrest, including fleeing to elude, DUI, obstruction, marijuana possession, drug-related objects, speeding, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime.
5/27/26
BRANDEN KENNETH ROOKS FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY
What this means: The Indigent Defense Program, based in Monroe, Georgia, reviewed Branden Kenneth Rooks’ application for a free, court-appointed attorney and determined he does not qualify. The reason checked on the form is that Rooks stated he does not wish to have an attorney appointed for him by the court. This means Rooks will need to retain his own private legal counsel to represent him on the charges of fleeing to elude, DUI, obstruction, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, drug-related objects, speeding, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime.