Get notified by email when this case is updated.
Name:
Thomas, Shiela Ann
Date of Booking:
08/08/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Possess Methamphetamine
Possession And Use Of Drug Related Objects
Dui- Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs
Failure To Maintain Lane
Taillights Violation
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 08/08/2026 at approximately 0022 hours, I, Officer Haven, was patrolling the area of Highway 71 and Maple Grove Road when I observed a blue 2016 Jeep Patriot traveling southbound on Highway 71. I observed the vehicle change lanes and fail to maintain its lane. I then pulled in behind the vehicle to continue observing it. I also noticed that the passenger-side tag light was not functioning.
While following the vehicle, I observed it fluctuating in speed between approximately 45 mph and 55 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The vehicle was also straddling the right lane line and began weaving within its lane. Based on these observations, I conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 71 and Buxton Road.
I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Sheila Thomas. I informed Mrs. Thomas that the reason for the stop was her failure to maintain lane, fluctuating speed, weaving, and the inoperative tag light. Mrs. Thomas stated she was looking for an address and was about to pick someone up.
She explained that the individual had instructed her to pass his driveway and then turn around to pick him up. When asked where she was going, Mrs. Thomas stated she was going on a date with a new man. She further stated that the vehicle had recently been purchased and that she was unaware the tag light was not working.
While speaking with Mrs. Thomas, I observed that her eyes appeared glossy and that she was slurring her speech. She was speaking rapidly and was difficult to understand at times. Based on my observations, I believed she might be impaired. I asked Mrs. Thomas to exit the vehicle, and she complied. Upon exiting, she appeared unsteady on her feet and leaned against her vehicle for support.
I asked Mrs. Thomas whether she had taken anything that day, and she stated that she had taken allergy medication and Tylenol. I asked whether she was taking any prescription medications, and she initially stated that she was not. She then began discussing her personal life and stated that she was bipolar and clinically depressed and that she took medication for those conditions. When asked whether she had taken those medications that day, she stated that she had not.
I asked Mrs. Thomas if she would be willing to perform a series of field sobriety evaluations to determine whether she was safe to operate a motor vehicle. She agreed.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
I instructed Mrs. Thomas on the HGN test and confirmed that she understood the instructions. I asked her to remove her glasses and place them on the rear of her vehicle. I also asked whether she had suffered any recent head injuries, and she stated that she had not. I checked for equal tracking and equal pupil size prior to beginning the evaluation.
During the test, I observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both the left and right eyes.
Walk and Turn
I placed Mrs. Thomas in the starting position and explained and demonstrated the test. She stated that she understood the instructions. Mrs. Thomas advised that she had balance issues due to medical conditions. I informed her that I would take that into consideration and explained that the test primarily evaluates the ability to follow instructions.
During the instruction phase, Mrs. Thomas failed to maintain the starting position. During the walking phase, she failed to follow instructions by not counting out loud, not looking at her feet, failing to touch heel-to-toe, failing to walk a straight line, taking an incorrect number of steps, stopping while walking because she forgot her count, and failing to perform the turn as instructed. Due to her repeated stops and inability to follow instructions, I moved on to the next evaluation.
One Leg Stand
I placed Mrs. Thomas in the starting position and explained and demonstrated the test. Mrs. Thomas stated that she was unable to perform the test due to a back problem. I then proceeded to the next evaluation.
Lack of Convergence
I explained and demonstrated the test and confirmed that Mrs. Thomas understood the instructions. During the evaluation, I observed a lack of convergence. Her eyes did not converge simultaneously, and when they did converge, one eye would drift back outward.
Modified Romberg
I explained and demonstrated the test and confirmed that Mrs. Thomas understood the instructions. During the evaluation, Mrs. Thomas estimated 30 seconds in approximately 19 seconds. I also observed eyelid tremors and body sway.
Finger-to-Nose
I explained and demonstrated the test and confirmed that Mrs. Thomas understood the instructions. The commands provided were: Left, Right, Left, Right, Right, Left.
During the evaluation, Mrs. Thomas failed to touch the tip of her nose on any pass and used the incorrect hand during one of the passes.
Based on my observations during the traffic stop and the results of the field sobriety evaluations, I believed Mrs. Thomas was impaired to the extent that it was unsafe for her to operate a motor vehicle. I again asked Mrs. Thomas whether she had taken anything that day, and she stated that she had not. I then placed her under arrest.
Due to existing medical conditions, she was handcuffed in front. The handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double locked. I searched her person for weapons and contraband, and none were found. I also searched the rear seat area of my patrol vehicle prior to transport and found no weapons or contraband. Mrs. Thomas was then secured in the rear of my patrol vehicle.
I read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice and requested a blood sample. Mrs. Thomas stated that she did not know. I informed her that failure to provide a yes-or-no response would be considered a refusal. She stated that she was not refusing but wished to speak with someone. I advised her that if she wished to consult an attorney before making a decision, it would be considered a refusal. She stated that she did not want to speak with an attorney but wanted to talk to someone who would listen to her. I advised her that she was currently speaking with me.
At that time, Mrs. Thomas stated that she had consumed methamphetamine earlier in an attempt to kill herself. I again asked if she would consent to a blood draw. She stated that she would fail the test. I asked if she would still submit to the blood draw, and she agreed. I then asked whether there was anything illegal in the vehicle, and she stated that her methamphetamine pipe was inside her purse.
I requested the next available wrecker, Frank’s Wrecker Service, and conducted an inventory of the vehicle. During the inventory, I located Mrs. Thomas’s purse. Inside the purse, I found a glass smoking pipe containing methamphetamine residue. I also located a small bag containing a crystal-like substance.
I conducted a field test of the substance, which returned positive results for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Additionally, I located a prescription bottle of Lamotrigine prescribed to Mrs. Thomas. The prescription label warned that the medication may cause drowsiness and dizziness and advised caution while operating a motor vehicle.
Mrs. Thomas’s purported date, [REDACTED], arrived on scene and requested that I review text messages exchanged between himself and Mrs. Thomas. He stated that the messages would explain her driving behavior and prove that she was not under the influence. I reviewed the messages sent within approximately the previous hour and observed that Mrs. Thomas had made numerous statements indicating she was sleepy and having difficulty staying awake. I informed Mr. [REDACTED] that Mrs. Thomas had admitted to using illegal substances and that illegal narcotics had been located in the vehicle.
Officer Ellis remained with the vehicle while I transported Mrs. Thomas to the Varnell Police Department for a blood draw. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Small collected the blood sample. I then transported Mrs. Thomas to the Whitfield County Jail, where she was turned over to jail staff without incident.
The crystal substance and glass smoking pipe were logged into evidence and secured in Evidence Locker #5 and the blood test kit was placed into evidence locker #6 pending submission to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory for analysis.
Following the incident, I spoke with Officer Ellis, who advised that Mr. [REDACTED] had informed him that he and Mrs. Thomas were cousins and that they were not meeting for a date as previously stated. Due to the number of empty baggies in Mrs. Thomas’s possession and the small quantity of narcotics recovered, I believe she may have been meeting Mr. [REDACTED] to purchase additional controlled substances. I will notify Lieutenant Small to determine whether the Whitfield County Criminal Investigations Division wishes to conduct further investigation.
[End of Narrative]