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Name:
Russell, Sammy L
Date of Booking:
05/20/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery
Cruelty to children
Aggravated Assault
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 05/20/26 at approximately 1636 hours I, Officer Wukoson #368, responded to [REDACTED] in reference to a domestic dispute. Officers were advised by Dispatch that a female complainant stated that her grandfather assaulted her by kicking her in the head and pulling her hair and that he was currently armed with a knife.
I was first to arrive on scene. Given the report of a subject actively armed, I drew my service weapon and knocked loudly on the front door. The complainant, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [REDACTED] (DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/06), answered the door and walked outside. She was frantic and hysterically yelling about the situation. She pointed back at an older black male subject just inside the residence and told me that was her grandfather (later identified as Sammy Lee Russell; DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/64). Mr. Russell’s hands were visible and empty.
I told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to step away while I ordered Sammy outside, keeping his hands visible, and holstered my firearm. Sammy denied having a knife and a brief Terry Frisk and search of his pockets, which he consented to, was conducted. Sammy was not armed. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] frantically stated that she wanted to go back inside and she did so as Sammy had a seat outside.
As other units began to arrive on scene I attempted to calm [REDACTED BY AGENCY] down. She was yelling that she had a video of the incident and then showed it to me. The video began by showing [REDACTED BY AGENCY] narrating to the camera as Sammy stands over her, with his foot hovering just above [REDACTED BY AGENCY] head. Sammy is demanding that she get out of his house. Sammy then thrusts his foot down, kicking [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the head. At this time, I confirmed that both [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Sammy lived at the residence. Sammy confirmed that they did. ([REDACTED BY AGENCY] later explained that Sammy is her grandmother’s long-time boyfriend, and not her blood relative. Sammy later advised that he has lived at [REDACTED] for approximately two years and that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had moved in approximately one week prior after being evicted from Camptowne Gardens.)
I then ordered Sammy to stand up and detained him in handcuffs which were checked for proper fit and double-locked. I escorted him to my patrol vehicle where he again reiterated that he was okay with me searching his pockets. I re-verified that he had no weapons or other contraband, and secured him in the rear of my patrol vehicle.
I then returned to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], where other Officers were watching the full video, and I was able to watch it multiple times. After Sammy is seen kicking [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the head, he attempts to do so again as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] grandmother, [WITNESS #1] (DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/58), grabs him to pull him away. ([WITNESS #1] is seen holding a kitchen knife, which [REDACTED BY AGENCY] dismissed as relevant, stating she had been cooking.)
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] drops her phone but the video continues as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] repeatedly punches Sammy (Sammy had no visible injuries nor did he complain of any). [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then repeatedly tells her grandmother that Sammy “tried to cut” her. The three appear to fall to the floor as the struggle continues. [WITNESS #1] states “You ain’t gonna cut this girl” and repeatedly tells Sammy to stop. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] repeatedly states “You supposed to be my grand-daddy” as Sammy continues to demand she get out of the house. The video ends as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] exits the room and walks into the living room/kitchen area. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was able to Airdrop this video to me.
I observed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] person for injuries. I noted a fresh wound on her right knee area, and she advised that it was a scab from an old injury that had broken open during the fight. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had other scabs on her legs which seemed to confirm this. I did not observe any obvious visible injury to her head.
When asked what had preceded these events, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that Sammy heard her 2-year-old son, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [REDACTED], crying inside of her room. She stated that she was inside of her room at the time with the door locked. Sammy, possibly believing she was beating her child, somehow entered her room. (I observed her door and doorframe and did not observe any obvious forced entry. However, the door and lock appeared relatively poorly-constructed.)
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that he was holding a folding pocket knife, opened, with a black grip and silver blade. He then stood over her, holding the knife. She told him that they could fight if he wanted, but demanded he put up the knife. He did so, folding it and putting it in his pocket. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated this is roughly when the video picks up. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that her son was present for the entire altercation.
I then asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if I could enter her room to look for the knife she described. She consented, and I observed a folded pocket knife, with black grip and silver blade, sitting on the dresser in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] bedroom, next to her TV. I took photographs documenting the location of the knife and collected it to be placed into Evidence.
I then spoke with [WITNESS #1] outside. [WITNESS #1] was dismissive of the incident and appeared more concerned with being evicted by Harry Arnold Properties. She initially stated to me that, during the dispute, she did not see a knife at any point. When asked why she was heard in the video telling Sammy to not cut [REDACTED BY AGENCY] she could not provide a clear answer. Sammy observed the knife I had collected, and told me that knife was not Sammy’s. She stated that he owned a small brown folding knife, and that the one I had collected belonged to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] boyfriend, who was not present at the time.
When asked to walk me through the incident from her perspective, [WITNESS #1] stated that Sammy thought [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was whopping her child and was angry about it. She said that the next she knew she was in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room trying to break up the fight. She also advised that Sammy had been drinking since early that morning.
I re-entered the residence to speak again with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. While doing so, [WITNESS #1] entered to use the restroom. The two began arguing briefly, and [WITNESS #1] stated to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] that she knew Sammy had a knife. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] drew my attention to this statement as well. At one point [REDACTED BY AGENCY] observed the knife I had collected and stated that was the one Sammy had been holding, and asked where I had found it.
I then stepped outside to speak with Sammy. After gathering his name and date of birth, I read him the Miranda Warning. He stated that he understood his rights and still wished to speak with me. I asked him what had happened, and he stated that it had been a strictly verbal argument regarding him wanting [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to move out. He stated that he told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] he was going to “stomp” on her, but at no point did the argument become physical. This was clearly contradictory to what was observed in the video, as well as both [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [WITNESS #1]’s statements.
I asked Sammy how much he had been drinking that date, observing his yellowed eyes, and he stated he had been drinking since that morning. After being told he was under arrest, he knocked on my rear window to get my attention once more. At this point, he stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had come after him with a black-handled knife in the kitchen after leaving her bedroom. I spoke again with [WITNESS #1], who stated that no physical altercation occurred in the kitchen, only further arguing.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was provided a case card by Officer Hill #350. I then transported Sammy, in a seatbelt, to the Walton County Jail without incident. The rear of my patrol vehicle was checked before and after transport and no contraband was located.
At this time, warrants are to be taken against Sammy Lee Russell for the following offenses:
- OCGA 16-5-23.1. Battery (FV)
- OCGA 16-5-21. Aggravated Assault (FV)
- OCGA 16-5-70 (d)(2). Cruelty to Children (3rd degree)
[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:
5/21/26
WALTON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT ORDERS PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED FOR SAMMY LEE RUSSELL
What this means: On May 21, 2026, a judge in Walton County Superior Court found that Sammy Lee Russell did not have the financial means to hire a private attorney — a legal status known as “indigent.” As a result, the court ordered the Office of Public Defender, located at 303 S. Hammond Dr., Suite 98, Monroe, GA 30655, to represent Russell on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Family Violence Battery, and Cruelty to Children (3rd Degree), as well as any other related charges the State may bring in this case.
5/27/26
BOND SET FOR SAMMY LEE RUSSELL IN WALTON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: On May 27, 2026, a bond was established for Sammy Lee Russell, allowing him the opportunity to be released from custody while his case moves through Walton County Superior Court. A designated security agreed to be financially responsible for ensuring Russell appears in court as required. The bond covers the charges of Aggravated Assault, Family Violence Battery, and Cruelty to Children. Russell is required to appear before the Walton County Superior Court for any hearings or trial dates scheduled by the court. If Russell fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited and a warrant issued for his re-arrest.