Manuel Ibarra

The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.

Name:
Ibarra, Manuel

Date of Booking:
07/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – ALCOHOL LESS SAFE

DRIVING W/O LISC

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 the above date and time, I was standing outside of Jet 22 (816 S Harris St) in Sandersville with two other deputies & a city police officer. As I was standing there, I observed a white Infiniti QX56 bearing GA tag #[REDACTED], pull up into a gas station pump. When the vehicle pulled up, it made several abrupt stops and then it would inch forward over and over. This occurred approximately 4 times, he then put the vehicle in reverse and backed up. The driver, I observed to be a hispanic male wearing a long sleeve shirt and a hat. I also observed the vehicle to be playing latin music at a high volume.

I then watched the male once he parked the vehicle to lean back, close his eyes, and he appeared to take a deep breath in. I then observed the male to step out of the vehicle, when he did, the male almost fell. I observed him to stand on the other side of his vehicle for a few seconds appearing to “gather himself”. He then walked beside us. As I was watching him walk, he appeared to be swaying, hesitant with each step, & very nervous.

The male then entered the store and got a few items. By this point, I had already advised the other law enforcement officers on scene that I was going to stop him when he left due to articulable reasonable suspicion that due to his behavior, I believed him to be severely intoxicated. I then walked to my patrol vehicle and waited. I then observed the male to walk back to his vehicle with his bag of items. The male then sat in his vehicle and consumed his items.

The male then left his vehicle again and went back to the store. As he exited the second time, I observed him to be talking to the other officers & deputies that I was previously standing with. They then advised me that he had admitted to having one beer tonight. This was combined with the driver producing the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming off of his breath & persons. I was then advised by my supervisor to come and talk to the male. I then exited my patrol vehicle and identified the driver as Mr. Manuel Ibarra. Mr. Ibarra admitted to consuming one beer tonight before driving.

I then asked Mr. Ibarra to walk to the front of my patrol vehicle. I then asked Mr. Ibarra if he would be willing to do Standard Field Sobriety Tests to ensure he was safe to drive. Mr. Ibarra agreed. (It should be noted that Mr. Ibarra had a severe language buried, he didn’t speak very good English at all). (It should also be noted that Mr. Ibarra’s slurred speech patterns continued to get increasingly worse the more time that I spoke to him. This was accompanied with Mr. Ibarra’s movement appearing to be impaired, swaying, hesitant when walking, using objects to assist with his balance, etc.).

PRE-FST INTERVIEW

Are you sick?
No.

Are you injured?
No.

Do you wear glasses?
Yes.

Do you wear corrective contact lenses?
No.

HORIZONTAL GAZE NYSTAGMUS TEST

Prior to attempting this test, Mr. Ibarra indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. It was determined that he was not wearing contacts. His eyes were checked and they displayed equal tracking and his pupils were equal sizes. Mr. Ibarra was instructed to follow the stimulus with his eyes only, keeping his head still. After stating that he understood the instructions, Mr. Ibarra attempted this test. No resting nystagmus was observed.

(As I was beginning to start HGN, I was asking Mr. Ibarra to stand with his feet together. Mr. Ibarra then continued raising his right leg to his knee continuously. I then asked Mr. Ibarra to take one step forward, he then began to walk in a line attempting to walk heel to toe, however, he was not stable at all).

The results of this test displayed 6 of the 6 possible clues.

• A lack of smooth pursuit in the left eye
• A lack of smooth pursuit in the right eye
• A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the left eye at maximum deviation
• A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the right eye at maximum deviation
• An onset of nystagmus in the left eye prior to 45 degrees.
• An onset of nystagmus in the right eye prior to 45 degrees.
  The test revealed the presence of vertical nystagmus.

After completion of Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, due to the language barrier, I skipped the walk & turn, and the one leg stand. I then asked Mr. Ibarra if he would be willing to blow into a preliminary breath test or PBT. Mr. Ibarra agreed and attempted to blow into the straw. However, due to the level of intoxication, Mr. Ibarra couldn’t understand how to blow into the straw, he continued sucking in. I then told Mr. Ibarra to turn around, and I secured him into handcuffs. I then double locked the handcuffs & checked for fit.

I then placed Mr. Ibarra into the backseat of my patrol vehicle. I then immediately read Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21. Mr. Ibarra refused the state administered chemical test for his blood. I then attempted to call two people for Mr. Ibarra to come and pick up his vehicle; however, both attempts were unsuccessful. Mr. [REDACTED]’s ended up coming & towing the vehicle for next list. Another deputy stayed on scene with the vehicle until Mr. [REDACTED]’s arrived. I then transported Mr. Ibarra to the Washington County Jail without incident. Mr. Ibarra was charged with the following.

• OCGA 40-6-391 (A)(1) – DUI – Less Safe (Alcohol)
• OCGA 40-5-20 – Driving without a valid license

I then returned back in service.

[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:

7/30/26

APPEARANCE BOND FILED — MANUEL IBARRA RELEASED PENDING COURT DATE

What this means: Manuel Ibarra, who is accused of DUI (alcohol, less safe) and driving without a license in Washington County, was released from custody after an appearance bond was filed on July 30, 2026. An appearance bond is a legal agreement that allows a defendant to be released from jail with the promise that he will show up to all required court dates. Manuel Ibarra is required to personally appear at Washington County State Court on September 28, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. to answer to the charges against him. The case is filed under case number STWR2026000234.