Jacob Ledford

Name:
Ledford, Jacob Perry

Date of Booking:
01/23/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Public Indecency, 1st Or 2nd Conviction

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 January 23, 2026, at approximately 1319 pm, I responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in reference to a lewd act in which a male was reportedly touching himself.

Arriving on scene, I made contact with the suspect, Jacob Ledford, who was seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, 1997 Ford Explorer, Ga tag [REDACTED]. He informed me that he was sitting in the parking lot watching videos, waiting to get his vehicle’s oil changed. When asked if he had been doing something indecent while in public, he denied it and said he had only been “fixing myself” or adjusting his genitalia.

Detective Robinson with the Dalton Police Department had been on the scene for an unrelated incident and advised that he witnessed Ledford mast*rbating in his vehicle. Detective Robinson confronted Ledford and told him of what he had seen, and Ledford stated that he would stop doing what he had been doing.

MPO Shope advised he spoke to the witness, [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] stated she was purchasing a planter and was returning to her vehicle. She noticed Ledford parked near her vehicle. [WITNESS #1] stated she noticed Ledford acting unusual and decided to observe further. [WITNESS #1] stated after several minutes, she noticed Ledford appeared to be mast*rbating and decided to take a video of the incident.

In the video, Ledford is seen sitting in the driver seat of his vehicle. His left arm appeared to be on the window sill of the door. His right arm was around his genital area making a vigorous up and down motion (clearly mast*rbating).

MPO Shope had Ledford exit the vehicle, to which he complied. Based on the video and witness accounts, Ledford was advised he was under arrest. Placed in handcuffs (double-locked and checked for proper spacing). Search incident to arrest, no contraband was located on his person. Before placing Ledford in the rear of the patrol vehicle, the backseat was searched prior to being transported. Ledford was placed in the backseat, where he was buckled in.

While in custody, I read Ledford his miranda warning from a prepared card to which he declined to answer any questions. Prior to arrest, Ledford had verbally consented to having his vehicle searched by MPO Shope. MPO Shope later advised no contraband was located.

Ledford was transported to Whitfield County Jail. Where upon arrival, I secured my service pistol in the lock boxes provided. Ledford and his property was handed over to the booking staff without incident. While there, I completed an online warrant application, reference E-File#2026-101WA. Magistrate Judge Philips, approved warrant #W26-147 charging Ledford with violation of O.C.G.A. 16-6-8 Public indecency.

I explained the charges to Ledford, stamped and signed the warrant, and provided it to the booking staff. Prior to leaving the jail, I retrieved my service pistol and checked the backseat with no contraband being located.

[End of Narrative]