The 26-year-old man has been charged with simple battery under the Domestic Violence Act for the physical harm he is said to have caused the mother of his child. He has also been charged with battery for his alleged attack on her friend.
]]> The alleged assault occurred when the man brought the child to the child's mother's house, but for some reason that police have not disclosed, the woman would not take the child from the man.When the man left the woman's residence as a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone else, the child's mother and a friend followed him in their own vehicle.
At one point, the first car in which the man was a passenger stopped near the intersection of Old Hull Road and North Avenue and the second vehicle stopped behind it. That, according to witnesses, is when the man got out of the car, walked over the second vehicle and punched both women inside.
At this point, all we have to go on is the say-so of witnesses and the women who claim they were hurt. Nothing has been proven in court yet. Even so, it seems this is a domestic situation that would benefit from some professional intervention. Clearly, the man and woman have some issues relating to care of their child and have not been able to work them out on their own. Perhaps if they got the professional help they needed, they would not have such a difficult time relating to one another.
Source: The Athens Banner-Herald, "Man assaults two women in car," May 15, 2012
]]>The study could have implications for campus safety and crime prevention.
]]> The researchers were prompted to study this issue after learning that binge drinking, defined for the purposes of this study as having more than four drinks in one day, was on the rise among female college students.The study found that a first-year female college student who had four drinks or more during one day were 33 percent more likely to become a victim of sexual assault in the next few months. Among women who had four drinks or more over the span of two days, the likelihood that they would be sexually assaulted was 17 percent greater than average. Only 6 percent of women who did not drink reported becoming the victim of sexual assault during the course of the study.
One researcher said the study shows that it is more the pace at which a woman drinks than the volume that puts her at risk for being victimized.
Study authors Emily Mouilso, Sarah Fischer and Karen S. Calhoun performed the study with assistance from the UGA Research Foundation.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "UGA study: Binge drinking increases risk of later sexual assault for first-year female college students," May 14, 2012
]]>Recently, a man and woman from Oconee County were arrested and charged with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The 49-year-old woman was charged only in connection with the methamphetamine investigators said they found in the couple's home, but the 48-year-old man was also charged with two counts of possessing marijuana because investigators allegedly found the substance during their search.
]]> Police also said they found a shotgun, almost $1,500 in cash and digital scales. None of those things are illegal on their own, of course, but together it does give off the impression that a person is selling drugs.Police declined to say what led them to suspect the couple, other than to say they had gotten a tip that the two were involved in drugs.
Maybe as news coverage of the accusations against this couple continues, we will hear something about why they got involved with drugs (if, in fact, they were involved with drugs, because we do not yet know for a fact that they were). Addiction or pressing financial troubles can often force people into courses of action they would not have even considered if things were different. We do not offer that as an excuse for anyone, but in some circumstances it is an explanation.
Source: The Athens Banner-Herald, "Oconee couple facing meth charge," Way Ford, May 9, 2012
]]>Authorities in Winder, which is about 25 miles west of Athens, were looking into a hit-and-run at a local hardware store Saturday afternoon. They were able to track down the suspect via a license plate number from a witness. Once they were at the suspect's residence, one officer noticed a patch of unusual flowers with frilly pink blossoms growing behind the suspect's house.
]]> The officer took a photo with his camera phone and later discovered that the plants were opium poppies. Authorities eventually were told that an elderly resident in the house had been using the plants to self-medicate to treat a chronic and painful condition of unspecified nature.One officer said he had worked for the force for 13 years and had never seen an incident like this one because opium is such an uncommon drug.
The owner of the plants may now face manufacturing and distribution charges because the poppies were grown from seeds originally shipped from Asia.
If it is true that a chronically ill person was using the poppies to self-medicate, do you think that is the kind of use lawmakers were envisioning when they wrote our drug laws? It is true that some drugs greatly ease pain. That does not mean this man was free to use them, but it does invite a closer examination of drugs, why people use them and whether such use should be discouraged.
Source: The Athens Banner-Herald, "Winder police seize 900 opium plants at home," Brian Creech, May 7, 2012
]]>Adderall is a stimulant commonly prescribed to patients with Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder. It has also attracted quite a black-market following because people who use it but do not have ADHD report that it can help them concentrate on their studies or recuperate after a particularly wicked bender.
]]> There's a dark side to Adderall, though. One UGA student told the newspaper he thinks Adderall is like "legal coke" because it "Makes your hair fall out, your nails get thin...and the withdrawals are terrible."That's not all that's bad about Adderall. Even though it is a prescription drug, that does not mean it can be used freely. Georgia authorities will prosecute you if you have Adderall, but not the prescription for the medication. You may think you're just making a little money on the side by selling Adderall to your friends, but authorities will likely see that as drug dealing and will not hesitate to go after you.
Ultimately, we hope you do not take Adderall unless a doctor has reached the opinion that you need it. If it's too late for that, though, and you have been caught, please understand that working with a criminal defense attorney may help your situation.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Adderall abuse on the rise," Julia Carpenter and Adina Solomon, May 1, 2012
]]>The 18-year-old man was arrested in Athens Saturday night after police saw him leave Bar South with a bottle of Bud Light that was mostly full, an arrest that led to three alcohol-related misdemeanor charges.
]]> Officers kept watching as he proceeded down Lumpkin Street. At one point, the police report said, someone told him that he could not have an open bottle when out in public and he made efforts to conceal the beer.When he finished the beer and left the bottle in an unattended doorway, an officer approached the man and asked him to show his identification. The man gave the officer a Louisiana drivers' license that showed him to be under 21. Evidently, that was a mistake and he had meant to hand over the fake identification that had allowed him to get into Bar South even though he was not of legal drinking age.
The man was then arrested and a fake drivers' license, with his real picture but a fake date of birth, was discovered in his wallet. He has been charged with having an open container, underage consumption of alcohol and possession of a fake identification card.
As you can see from reading this story, this man made several mistakes along the way, not the least of which was deciding to drink before he was legally allowed to do so. Although what he did was wrong, it would not make sense to punish him too severely for his poor judgment.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Student charged with open container and fake ID possession," Megan Ernst, April 30. 2012
]]>The whole story started when a Creswell Hall RA smelled marijuana smoke. He alerted police, who then knocked on the door twice. Receiving no response, they obtained a key from the RA and entered the room. At that point, he ordered the two residents to stand outside in the hallway. When the officers were inside, they found marijuana, paraphernalia and a fake drivers' license.
]]> After placing one of the residents under arrest, though, the officer learned that he could not open the door to the room and ask the residents to stand outside without a warrant. He spoke to his supervisor, his supervisor spoke to the prosecutor, and the criminal charges against the student were dismissed.The police chief was quick to point out that it is not as if the student did not do anything wrong, but that it was police error that resulted in the dismissal of charges. He also said he issued a training bulletin to all officers to ensure that this mistake is not made again.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Student's charges of possession or marijuana and others dropped after police enter room without consent," Megan Ernst, April 25, 2012
]]>The 22-year-old man was pulled over early Monday morning after a police officer reportedly noticed him driving with his high beams on. When the officer pulled the student over and the student rolled his window down to speak to the officer, the officer said he could smell the strong odor of alcohol.
]]> The officer also noticed that the man was driving with a suspended license. The man said he knew his license was suspended, but said he was just trying to get his girlfriend home.When the man performed field sobriety tests, the officer came to the conclusion that the man was intoxicated and arrested him. The man later performed two breath-alcohol tests, which read 0.154 and 0.157, respectively.
The man has now been charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license and failure to dim headlights.
If we take what this man said at face value, maybe he and his girlfriend were at a party and he wanted to make sure she got home safely. While that is noble of him, it was not a very good idea, since it seems he had been drinking and was not in good shape to drive. If you are ever in a similar situation, it might be a better idea to call your friend or significant other a cab or arrange a ride for him or her with a sober friend.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "University student charged with DUI on Milledge Avenue," Josh Johnson, April 24, 2012
]]>The 20-year-old man was spotted by an Athens-Clarke County police officer when he was standing between a car and a building, urinating. The man noticed the officer and tried to flee, but he was followed by the officer, who pursued him on a bicycle and asked him to stop.
]]> When the police officer caught up with the man, he told the officer he was 17 and had difficulty forming coherent, logical answers to the officer's "simple" questions. The officer reported that he could smell alcohol coming off the man's breath, so he was taken to Clarke County Jail.So, to recap: this man was:
That's pretty embarrassing, and sadly, it doesn't stop there. This man will likely be ticketed for public urination, which will be an embarrassment every time someone finds out about it. He will probably also be charged with underage consumption or underage possession of alcohol. Taken as a whole, this man obviously paid dearly for the fun he had that night.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "University student found urinating on Spring Street," Josh Johnson, April 15, 2012
]]>Most people have, at least once, been pulled over for speeding down the Georgia highways, and some are let go with a warning to drive more slowly and carefully. Some receive speeding tickets and head on their ways.
However, some are not so lucky, as one Athens man found out last Friday when he was charged with felony drug possession and intent to sell.
]]> When an Athens police officer allegedly observed the 26-year-old driver speeding near the intersection of Cooper Road and Lexington, he pulled him over.. The officer then conducted a search of the man's vehicle and found marijuana, crack cocaine, and prescription medication.According to the police report, the officer also discovered that the registered owner of the vehicle had an outstanding warrant.
The Athens man now faces serious felony drug charges -- possession with intent to distribute drugs -- as well as having to answer for previous crimes for which he had the active warrant.
Defendants facing multiple misdemeanor or felony charges have no fewer rights than a college student charged with underage consumption or possession of a fake I.D. Working together with a criminal defense attorney with experience in handling complex cases can mean the difference between dismissed charges - and conviction and a substantial prison sentence.
Source: Athens Banner-Herald Online Athens, "Police arrest man on drug charges," April 7, 2012
]]>An anonymous individual reported an incident of rape to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program last Thursday, according to a University of Georgia police report.
]]> The individual who filed the report wanted to remain anonymous, did not specify where on campus the April 1 sexual assault took place, and did not want to meet with Athens area law enforcement. The victim also reportedly knew the person who sexually assaulted her.This report comes just two weeks after similar reports were filed with University police. All three incidents have been classified as cases of strong arm rape. No suspects have been named or taken into custody in connection to any of these incidents.
As was the case with the most recent victim, the other two victims wished to remain anonymous, did not want to meet with Athens law enforcement, and were acquainted with the individuals who sexually assaulted them. The previous incidents reportedly took place on March 25 in East Campus Village and on March 23 in Creswell Hall.
Since sex crimes are all too common on university campuses nationwide, it is very important for both victims and people who are accused of rape or other sex crimes to know their rights. Those who are accused are often viewed as guilty before their side of the story can be told. Both sides deserve to have their stories heard, especially since being falsely accused of sexual assault can haunt a person the rest of his or her life.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Strong arm rape reported at unknown campus location," Joshua Johnson, April 10, 2012
]]>The professor, who works in the Department of Psychology, was found guilty of a reduced charge of hit and run and of driving too fast under the conditions. He has been ordered to pay a collective $800 and will serve 20 hours of community service. The DUI charge was dismissed March 29.
]]> The incident that led to the charges occurred Jan. 28. In an interview with the University of Georgia newspaper, the professor said he had been at a stoplight at the end of an exit ramp when he rear-ended another vehicle ahead of him.The professor said that he had had a glass of wine with dinner and did not understand why the Breathalyzer test he performed gave the arresting officer reason to believe that he was drunk. He said he did not feel at all intoxicated, but theorized that since he is an "ultra-athlete" and has a reflux problem that the test may have showed artificially high levels of alcohol.
He said he believed the hit-and-run charge was filed because he could not pull over immediately after the accident because he could not locate a safe place to pull over either way.
This case is a good illustration of how drunk driving charges do not always result in a conviction. Although a DUI allegation may seem like it has a built-in guilty conviction, that just is not the case. Many times, defendants can work with a criminal defense attorney and prove their innocence.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Charge of driving under the influence dropped for University professor," Joshua Johnson, April 6, 2012
]]>Unfortunately, four UGA students must have forgotten all that because they thought it would be a good idea to go driving after they had been drinking. All have now been charged with underage possession or underage consumption after their vehicle was pulled over in Athens Saturday morning.
]]> An officer stopped the 19-year-old driver because he observed that she was weaving through the lanes as she drove. The office smelled alcohol and asked everyone in the car -- a driver and four passengers -- to perform field sobriety tests.Ultimately, the five young people were all issued citations for underage drinking. The fifth person in the car was over 21, so he was not issued any citations.
Although an underage drinking citation is absolutely nothing to sniff at, the four young people involved here are lucky their situation did not end up worse than it did. A DUI would have been a serious problem for the driver and just think of what would have happened if they had been in an accident.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Crime Notebook: Four University students arrested after being pulled over for improper use of turn lane," Megan Ernst, April 2, 2012
]]>That's because when Athens-Clarke County police officers found the 20-year-old man early on Saturday morning, he was reportedly face-down on a lawn, covered in grass and dirt and "damp with vomit." If those observations regarding this apparent underage drinking incident are true, they indicate that the man was severely intoxicated to a point where his level of alcohol consumption posed a serious problem.
]]> According to a police report, an officer asked the man how old he was and where he had been that night and the man could answer neither question logically or coherently. Because he could not answer even simple questions pertaining to himself, the man was arrested and taken to the Clark County Sheriff's Office. He has now been charged with underage consumption of alcohol.Now, it is not great that officers did not perform any field sobriety tests or Breathalyzer tests ( as far as we know, anyhow). For all they know, the man could have been very ill, or having a reaction to medication or experiencing some other medical issue that mimicked drunkenness. If that is the case, the young man will want to hire a criminal defense attorney and attack the charges against him for sure.
Either way, we are glad this situation was resolved without him getting hurt. It would have been terrible if he had lain there all night with no one finding him.
Source: The Athens Red & Black, "Crime Notebook: University student arrested after being found 'face down in the grass on the sidewalk,'" Megan Ernst, April 2, 2012
]]>Well, was not illegal, we should say. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal recently signed into law a bill that bans all forms of synthetic marijuana from Georgia borders. The law will start being enforce today, so anyone who is found to be in possession of synthetic marijuana will be charged.
]]> Although there is something to be said for the limits this puts on an individual's personal freedom, there does also seem to be a public health benefit to the ban. The bill Gov. Deal signed into law is nicknamed "Chase's Law" after the 16-year-old Chase Corbitt Burnett who died, reportedly after smoking synthetic marijuana.Synthetic marijuana has been the bane of law enforcement authorities for quite some time. Until now, it was not illegal, so officers were unsure of how to combat it. That a person could not be punished for using it gave rise to its immense popularity; even though it often sold as potpourri or incense and is not officially intended for human consumption, it wasn't hard for people in Athens to get their hands on some if they were curious.
It will be interesting to see where the criminalization of synthetic marijuana takes us. Previous drug laws have been difficult and costly to enforce and have spelled a lot of trouble for people even when those who committed more serious crimes got away with lesser punishment.
Source: The Athens Red and Black, "Synthetic marijuana now illegal in Georgia," Polina Marinova, March 27, 2012
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