Everett Townley

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Name:
Townley, Everett P

Date of Booking:
04/20/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Marijuana Possession less 1 oz.

Public Drunkness

Crossing of guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs without consent of warden or superintendent

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

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 20th, 2026, at approximately 1744 hours, I, Officer Herron, was dispatched to 1204 East Church Street, also known as the Monroe Church of God, in reference to a male acting boisterously, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Upon arrival, I made contact with the complainant/youth pastor at the church ([WITNESS #1]). Subsequently, at the location, a team of juveniles was practicing baseball, which was later confirmed as an age 12 and under team, so a concerned mother accompanied [WITNESS #1].

[WITNESS #1] stated that he lives at the church and was running through the surrounding area for exercise when he observed a white male with short hair, wearing a white shirt and grey pants, stumbling through the church parking lot and making loud, unintelligible comments. [WITNESS #1] continued stating that he attempted to finish his exercise when he observed the individual lying down by a bush approximately 50 yards from the baseball field with his legs behind his head, yelling unintelligible comments.

[WITNESS #1] began dialing emergency services at the point, when the male started to make his way towards the field with the juveniles on it. The male eventually came to a halt approximately 5 yards from the outfield’s chain link fence, where the complainants lost sight of him.

With the last known location just past the outfield, I made my way to the area where I had initially observed a male matching the description lying on his side, as if he were sleeping. As I approached, I began making loud comments towards the individual to acquire his attention, which didn’t work. I then deployed my service baton to poke the individual in an attempt to awaken him, which was successful.

As the individual awoke, I began asking questions related to “what are you doing?” and “why are you here?” The male, who had bloodshot watery eyes and whose breath was emitting the strong odor of alcoholic beverages, stated unintelligible comments, speaking about lizards and things unrelated to my questions. I asked the individual if he had any identification, which he did, and he handed a Georgia Identification Card to me without incident.

The individual was identified as (Everett Preston Townley). I asked Everett to stand up and allow me to pat him down for any weapons, which he complied with, and none were located on his person. Everett began making loud, mocking comments towards me as I ran his ID over the radio. Afterwards, Everett began talking about how he lives on Poplar Street, and he was trying to make it home. Everett also began stating he was heavily intoxicated and had consumed alcoholic beverages.

At this time, Everett was placed under arrest, handcuffed behind his back, and the handcuffs were checked for proper fitment and double locked. I then began walking Everett to my patrol vehicle, where he continued to stumble heavily and made loud comments using profane language in the presence of the juvenile team.

As we arrived at my patrol vehicle, I began a search incident to arrest before I secured Everett in my vehicle. During the search, Everett continued making loud, profane comments that the juveniles could hear.

Once I finished my search, I secured Everett in my patrol vehicle and made my way to the complainant, [WITNESS #1], to confirm the story once more, and all the information was the same as before.

Everett was then transported to the Walton County Jail without incident. While in the booking area, Everett was searched even more thoroughly. During the process of booking, Everett repositioned himself multiple times on a bench. As Everett had an X-Ray body scan completed, he repositioned himself to the bench once more, where a bag of Marijuana, which was not there before, was located directly under his left pant leg by a Walton County Correctional Officer.

Everett was then charged with Crossing the Guard line with Contraband (42-5-15), Possession of Marijuana Misdemeanor (16-13-2(b)), Disorderly Conduct (16-11-39), and Public Intoxication (16-11-41).

Afterwards, Everett was transferred into the custody of the Walton County Correctional Officers without incident.

The marijuana was later weighed in at (2.73 grams) and booked into the evidence locker #012 under property receipt. #37091, along with a tobacco pipe that was on Everett’s person, possibly used to ingest the marijuana.

[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:

4/22/26

WALTON COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT EVERETT PRESTON TOWNLEY

What this means: On April 22, 2026, the Superior Court of Walton County determined that Everett Preston Townley could not afford to hire his own attorney. The court found him indigent — meaning financially unable to pay for legal representation — and appointed the Walton County Public Defender’s Office to represent him. The order covered charges of public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and crossing guard lines with drugs or contraband. Attorney Devin Sinclair of the Public Defender’s Office was assigned to the case.

5/29/26

EVERETT PRESTON TOWNLEY PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS IN WALTON SUPERIOR COURT

What this means: On May 29, 2026, Everett Preston Townley appeared in the Superior Court of Walton County and pleaded guilty to two charges under Case No. 26CR0364-4: Count 1, Public Drunkenness, and Count 2, Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce. Both pleas were negotiated, meaning the outcome was agreed upon in advance between the defense and the prosecution. The accusation was filed during the May 2026 Term of court. Prosecutor Troy Herron represented the State under District Attorney Randy McGinley. Defense attorney Devin Sinclair represented Townley. The plea form reflects that Townley was 34 years old at the time, listed his occupation as unemployed, and signed the waiver acknowledging he understood his rights, including the right to a jury trial, the right to confront witnesses, and the right against self-incrimination.

5/29/26

EVERETT PRESTON TOWNLEY SENTENCED TO 24 MONTHS PROBATION

What this means: Following his guilty pleas on May 29, 2026, Everett Preston Townley was sentenced in the Superior Court of Walton County. On Count 1, Public Drunkenness, he received 12 months of probation and a $500 fine. On Count 2, Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce, he received 12 months of probation and a $500 fine, to run consecutive to Count 1 — meaning the second probation period begins only after the first one ends. The total sentence is 24 months of probation, all to be served on probation with no time in confinement indicated. The sentence also runs consecutive to Walton County Case No. 26CR0019-4. The Final Disposition form classifies both offenses as misdemeanors.

5/29/26

EVERETT PRESTON TOWNLEY SIGNS WAIVER OF FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS CONDITION OF PROBATION

What this means: As a special condition of his probation, Everett Preston Townley signed a Waiver of Fourth Amendment Rights on May 29, 2026, in the Superior Court of Walton County. The Fourth Amendment normally protects people from searches without a warrant. By signing this waiver, Townley agreed that probation staff, city, county, or state law enforcement officers may search his person, vehicle, residence, and property at any time without a search warrant. He also agreed that anything found during such a search could be used as evidence in a probation violation proceeding or a new criminal case.

5/29/26

EVERETT PRESTON TOWNLEY INFORMED OF HABEAS CORPUS AND APPEAL RIGHTS

What this means: Also on May 29, 2026, Everett Preston Townley signed a Notice of Habeas Corpus and Appeal Rights in the Superior Court of Walton County. This document confirms that Townley was informed of his right to appeal his conviction and his right to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus — a legal action used to challenge whether a person is being held or sentenced in violation of their constitutional rights. He was advised that a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of sentencing, and that a habeas corpus petition must be filed within 30 days of the conviction or within the same court term. Attorney Devin Sinclair signed the form confirming he explained these rights to Townley.