Morgan McMinn

Name:
McMinn, Morgan Franchesca

Date of Booking:
09/05/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
IMPROPER PARKING

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

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 Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at approximately 02:43 am I, Ofc. Etheridge, conducted a traffic stop on S Hospital Rd, near the railroad tracks.

Before I initiated the traffic stop, I was sitting stationary at the intersection of Hospital Rd and Sunhill Rd, observing traffic flow in the area. I observed a gray Jeep Wrangler, bearing Ga tag [REDACTED], approach the intersection on Hospital Rd headed South. As the vehicle approached the stop sign, it rolled completely over the stop bar with all four wheels and came to a stop, almost in the middle of the intersection. After observing the infraction, I got behind the vehicle and activated my blue lights to initiate a traffic stop.

The Jeep continued South on Hospital Rd. I chirped my siren to capture the driver’s attention further. The Jeeр then pulled over on the right shoulder of the roadway, near the railroad tracks, and came to a stop. I then exited my patrol vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Morgan McMinn. When I first spoke with McMinn, I could immediately smell the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage as she rolled her window down. I also observed two other passengers inside the vehicle. For my safety, I asked McMinn to step out of her vehicle.

As I directed McMinn towards the front of my patrol vehicle, she stumbled, almost falling onto me. I also observed McMinn begin to fidget with her fingers, which is a common indicator of nervousness. I also observed McMinn’s soft-spoken voice and watery eyes. I also observed a stain pattern on McMinn’s shirt, which was consistent with a vomit or spilt drink stain. I asked McMinn where she was prior to our interaction. She stated she was coming from a party on Highway 88.

When asked about her alcohol consumption, McMinn stated, “Not much”. When asked to elaborate, she advised she had one Michelob Ultra beer approximately 2 or 3 hours prior, while at the Club Elevate in Tennille. I then went back to my patrol vehicle to enter McMinn’s information through the criminal database. Once McMinn’s information returned as valid, I spoke with her once again. Due to the observed traffic infraction, indicators of impairment, and admission of consumption, I asked McMinn if she would consent to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). McMinn agreed. I directed McMinn to a more desirable location to perform testing.

I placed McMinn into the starting position for the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. Once in the starting position, I began testing. During the HGN test, the following clues were observed:

• Lack of smooth pursuit in both left and right eyes.
• Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both the left and right eyes.

Other observations:

• Moves head along with eyes.
• Swaying.

A total of 4 out of 6 validated clues were observed.

McMinn was then placed into the starting position of the Walk and Turn (WAТ) test. Once in the starting position, I began testing. During the WAT test, the following clues were observed:

• Starts too soon.
• Does not touch heel-to-toe.
• Raises arms for balance.
• Steps off line.
• Stops while walking.
• Cannot maintain balance.
• Wrong number of steps.

A total of 7 out of 8 validated clues were observed.

McMinn was then placed into the starting position of the One Leg Stand (OLS) test. Once in the starting position, I began testing. During the OLS test, the following clues were observed:

• Sways.
• Puts foot down.
• Raises arms for balance.

A total of 3 out of 4 validated clues were observed.

Due to the clues observed during SFSTs, I asked McMinn if she would be willing to provide a breath sample. McMinn refused. I then read Ga implied consent for subjects over 21 to McMinn, which she refused. I advised McMinn that she was now under arrest and subsequently administered double-locked restraints on her wrists. For my safety, I used the backs of my hands and conducted a pat search of McMinn’s waistline and pockets, within the view of another officer, which yielded no contraband. After effecting the arrest, McMinn advised she would now consent to provide a breath sample.

Due to McMinn already being in custody, I read her Miranda Rights. After McMinn was advised of her Miranda Rights, I administered a preliminary breath test. The test gave a positive reading for alcohol. McMinn was also read Ga implied consent for subjects over the age of 21, which was refused. After all testing was completed, I escorted McMinn to the back seat of my patrol vehicle, where she was secured with a seatbelt. McMinn was subsequently transported to the Sandersville Police Department for booking and processing.

Upon arrival at the Police Department, McMinn was fingerprinted and cited with the following violations:

• 104A00478 Improper Stopping O.C.G.A 40-6-200
• 104A00479 DUI – Alcohol Less Safe O.C.G.A 40-6-391 (A) (1)

I also completed a DDS 1205 form, which McMinn signed. After all paperwork was completed and signed, I transported McMinn to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival at the Sheriff’s Office, custody of McMinn was relinquished to the jail staff. Before leaving the jail, a search of the backseat area of my patrol vehicle was conducted, which produced no contraband. Afterwards, I left the jail and returned to service.

[End of Narrative]