Willie Tarpkins

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Name:
Tarpkins, Willie E

Date of Booking:
03/12/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Simple Assault

Interfering with 911 call

Criminal Trespass

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 March 12th 2026, I Officer Robertson #371 responded to a report of a 911 hang-up at [500 BLOCK] Pine Park.

Walton County Dispatch advised a female called 911 and began screaming before hanging up the phone. They advised they were able to ping the phone around Apt [REDACTED] in [500 BLOCK] Pine Park. Upon officers arrival we were able to determine it was Apt [REDACTED] due to a car horn blowing outside the apartment.

I made contact with [VICTIM #1] who advised her husband broke into her residence. Ms. [VICTIM #1] opened the front door more to show a broken door frame. I stepped inside and saw a dresser which had been knocked over, Broken door frame and also a broken latch. There was a clear mark on the door from where it had been kicked in.

[VICTIM #1] advised her husband Willie Tarpkins had been arguing with her earlier this date and kicked her door in. She stated she was at Willie’s apartment when they began arguing. [VICTIM #1] advised she left and went to the store when Willie followed her on foot and began disputing with her again at the store. She advised she once again left and went back to her apartment at [500 BLOCK] Pine Park.

[VICTIM #1] advised that Willie began knocking at the door attempting to get in before he kicked the door in. [VICTIM #1] advised once he kicked the door in she began calling 911 and Willie took the phone from her hand as she was on the phone with Walton County Dispatch preventing her from reporting a crime. Willie then took her phone and left the scene on foot. Photos were taken of the damage to the door and living room.

We then went to [400 BLOCK] Pine Park St Apt [REDACTED] in an attempt to make contact with Willie. After knocking on the door multiple times with no answer units began to check the area looking for Willie to possibly be walking on foot. After checking the area with negative contact all units returned back into service.

Warrants taken for Willie for the following.

• Criminal Trespass
• Interference with 911
• Simple Assault

[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:

3/12/26

WILLIE EDWARD TARPKINS ARRESTED

What this means: Willie Edward Tarpkins was arrested and booked in Walton County on March 12, 2026. At the time of arrest, he was facing charges of interfering with a 911 call, simple assault, and criminal trespass. This is the starting point of the case in Walton Superior Court, case number SUCR2026000300.

3/13/26

PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT WILLIE EDWARD TARPKINS

What this means: The Walton Superior Court determined that Willie Edward Tarpkins could not afford a private attorney and ordered the Walton County Public Defender’s Office to represent him. The appointment was ordered on March 13, 2026, and covers the charges of interfering with a 911 call, simple assault, and criminal trespass. The Public Defender’s Office is located at 303 S. Hammond Dr., Suite 98, Monroe, GA 30655.

4/24/26

GRAND JURY INDICTMENT RETURNED AGAINST WILLIE EDWARD TARPKINS

What this means: During the February 2026 Term of Walton Superior Court, a grand jury — a group of citizens who review evidence to decide whether formal charges should proceed — returned a true bill of indictment against Willie Edward Tarpkins. This means the grand jury found enough evidence to formally charge him. The indictment, case number 26CR0300-1, lists five counts: Count 1, Burglary in the First Degree; Count 2, Robbery by Sudden Snatching; Count 3, Criminal Trespass; Count 4, Hindering an Emergency Telephone Call; and Count 5, Simple Assault, Family Violence. District Attorney Randy McGinley of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit signed the indictment, with Connor Robertson listed as prosecutor.

4/30/26

GRAND JURY BENCH WARRANT ISSUED FOR WILLIE EDWARD TARPKINS

What this means: Following the indictment, a Special Presentment Grand Jury Bench Warrant was issued on April 30, 2026, for Willie Edward Tarpkins in Walton County, case number 26CR0300-1. A bench warrant is a court-issued order directing law enforcement to take a defendant into custody to answer the charges. The warrant was signed by a judge of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit and received by authorities on April 28, 2026. The warrant is marked “CONFINED,” indicating Willie Edward Tarpkins was in custody at the time it was processed. District Attorney Randy McGinley is listed on the warrant.

6/3/26

PRETRIAL ORDER ENTERED IN WILLIE EDWARD TARPKINS CASE

What this means: Judge Jeffrey L. Foster of Walton Superior Court issued a Pretrial Order on June 3, 2026, setting the schedule for how the case will move forward. All demands, requests, and motions pertaining to discovery shall be filed and served on or before June 12, 2026. Both sides must exchange all discovery materials with each other by July 17, 2026. All motions (formal legal requests) must be filed by August 7, 2026, with responses due by August 14, 2026. All parties must be ready to present evidence and argue all pending motions at a hearing set for August 26, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Finally, both the State and Tarpkins must appear for a status conference on or before September 9, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. to inform the court of any remaining issues before a trial date is set.

6/3/26

STATE FILES CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND NOTICE OF INITIAL MOTIONS

What this means: Also on June 3, 2026, the State of Georgia filed a Certificate of Service and Notice of Initial Motions in Willie Edward Tarpkins’ case, confirming that the prosecution is complying with its discovery obligations under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1 et seq.). The State provided Tarpkins and his Public Defender with a copy of the accusation or indictment and a list of witnesses that may be updated as the case progresses. The filing references warrant numbers 2026-0697-1, 2026-0698-1, and 2026-0699-1, under case number 26CR0300-1. The notice advises that the State’s physical case file is open for inspection by appointment, and that the burden is on Tarpkins and his defense attorney to arrange copying of any discovery materials. Some physical evidence may still be held by the investigating law enforcement agency or at the GBI crime lab.