Jeremy Whitfield

Name of Accused:
Whitfield, Jeremy Adam

Date of Arrest:
12/12/2024


Charges For Arrest:
HIT AND RUN
POSSESSION OF COCAINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE
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 12/12/2024
Cpl. Burnette along with other members of the Banks County Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) responded to a suspicious/ MVA call at Walmart. Cpl. Burnette located the vehicle which was a grey Dodge Ram 1500 bearing Ga tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Cpl. Burnette made with the driver side of the vehicle and observed the driver later identified as Jeremy Whitfield passed out in the front seat of the truck, with the driver door open and medication bottles in his hand along with a black nylon bag. Cpl. Burnette woke Whitfield up and asked him to step out of the vehicle. Whitfield exited the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, Whitfield had slow movements, his eyes were glossy and he couldn’t explain why he was passed out with his door open.
Cpl. Burnette asked consent to Whitfield to which Whitfield denies consent to . When asked about weapons, Whitfield turned, and a knife was observed. Cpl. Burnette removed the knife for officer safety and asked Deputy Dempsey to conduct a free air sniff with K9 Reno. K9 Reno have a positive response to a trained odor and a of the vehicle was conducted. At this time a of Whitfield’s person was conducted with a large amount of US currency in his pockets wrapped in rubber bands, also on his person was multiple baggies consistent with the sale and distribution of narcotics, black rubber bands, and a black case with white residue which field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Cpl. Burnette asked Whitfield to conduct field sobriety evaluations which he agreed to. Whitfield stated he had foot problems which may impact his ability to conduct the walk and turn and one leg stand. Cpl. Burnette then conducted the evaluation which no HGN was observed which would be common with Xanax and methamphetamine on board as a combo drug. Whitfield did state he shot meth up intravenous last night and took Xanax and methadone this morning. Whitfield did not conduct the walk and turn, but did complete the one leg stand. During this part Whitfield lifted his arm but no other clues were observed. Sgt. Coombs was made aware of the finding and consulted with DRE from Commerce.
During a probable cause of Whitfield’s vehicle, a clear bag containing a white powdery substance which field tested positive for cocaine. Also inside the vehicle were 2 scales with residue inside the vehicle along with a bag of small baggies consistent with the ones on Whitfield’s person. Also, inside the vehicle and nylon bag were multiple syringes which Whitfield stated he used to shoot up methamphetamine.
Whitfield was read Miranda and agreed to talk. During the conversation with Whitfield stated he had been arrested previously for sell of drugs. Whitfield stated he wasn’t selling drugs, but recently relapsed and is back around drugs. When asked when he used to sell, how did he sell. Whitfield stated that he use to sell corner bags with a few grams which are consistent with the bags he had on his person. Whitfield stated that he was not selling right now, but when informed that the baggies, the amount of US Currency wrapped in rubber bands, multiple working digital scales, is consistent with drug distribution, Whitfield stated he understood how it looked, When asked if there was anything on his phone regarding selling narcotics, Whitfield got defensive and stated no and we couldn’t due to it being his personal space. It also should be noted that all the cash was not in Whitfield’s wallet or money clip, which is not normally how the public carried their cash. It should also be noted that the way the money was packaged is consistent with narcotic related crimes based on Cpl. Burnette’s knowledge, training, and experience. Cpl. Burnette had extensive training in criminal interdiction.
Cpl. Burnette informed Sgt. Coombs of the findings which Sgt. Coombs made the arrest for Hit and Runa, Possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and DUI drugs. All evidence was packaged and placed into evidence locker 7 at the Banks County Jail. Seized was all narcotics, money, phones, and items used in the distribution of narcotics. The cocaine will be sent to the GBI for testing. The currency was $4,549 dollars. Members of the Special Operations Unit (SOU) were notified and are conducting follow up investigations.
[End of Narrative]