Name of Accused:
James, Mark Anthony Jr
Date of Arrest:
08/13/2024
Charges For Arrest:
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – M
OBSTRUCTION – M
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 08/13/2024
at approximately 01:02 hours, I was dispatched to Studio 6 Rm# [REDACTED] (60 W Montgomery Crossroads, Savannah) in reference to a report of a domestic disturbance in progress. Dispatch advised a male and a female were involved.
Upon arrival, I spoke with the manager, identified as [WITNESS ]. [WITNESS ] advised she believes a domestic incident occurred inside of Rm [REDACTED] between a husband and wife. [WITNESS ] advised the wife was angry with the husband after finding him inside of the room with a female. Later, [WITNESS ] advised she saw the female wandering outside of the room after exiting Rm [REDACTED], and appeared to have been “beaten up.” [WITNESS ] asked the female if she was okay, and the female stated, “she beat my a*s.” [WITNESS ] then advised the husband and wife who rented Rm [REDACTED] are the only authorized people inside, and that they have had multiple people staying inside of the room, which is unauthorized per Studio 6’s policy. [WITNESS ] advised she would like the male trespassed and, because he has only been in the motel for less than 2 days, have him removed from the room.
I then went to Rm [REDACTED] to speak with the occupants. After knocking on the door and announcing myself as police, a male, identified as Nijuma Brooks, answered the door. Another male, identified as Mark James, was also inside of the room. Immediately, Nijuma became loud and disorderly towards officers. Nijuma eventually stood up, yelling loud and profane language, and was moving his hands in a rapid motion towards officers. At that time, due to numerous alcoholic beverages inside of the room and Njuma smelling strongly of alcoholic beverages, and Nijuma’s disorderly and confrontational actions towards officers, I detained Nijuma in double locked handcuffs so that I could safely finish my investigation. Nijuma calmed down after being placed in handcuffs.
I then spoke with Mark. Mark advised he stays in the neighboring room ([REDACTED]) and heard a loud commotion coming from Rm [REDACTED]. Mark advised he went to investigate, and observed Nijuma arguing with his wife, later identified as [REDACTED], and that [REDACTED] was angry that Nijuma was inside of the hotel room with another female. Mark advised he went inside of the room and saw the room in disarray, with items being strewn about on the ground. Mark didn’t advise of seeing a physical altercation between Nijuma and [REDACTED].
I then returned to speak with Nijuma. Because Nijuma was in hancuffs during my investigation and understood that he was not free to leave, I advised Nijuma of his Miranda rights. Nijuma agreed to speak to me without the presence of an attorney. Nijuma advised his “boy,” this is unclear if he was referring to Mark, had a white female inside of the hotel room. Nijuma advised [REDACTED] came inside of the room, observed the female inside, and got angry. Nijuma advised [REDACTED] told the white female to leave, and the female left. Nijuma advised [REDACTED] and the other female did not engage in a physical altercation.
I then spoke to [REDACTED] over the phone. [REDACTED] advised she walked into Rm [REDACTED] and caught Nijuma inside of the room with a prostitute (the white female). [REDACTED] denied fighting the female, and advised she told the female to leave. The female left shortly after. [REDACTED] advised she and Nijuma got into an argument, but nothing physical happened between the two. [REDACTED] advised Nijuma “pushed” her out of the room, but not in a threatening way. [REDACTED] indicated the “pushing” was not unwanted physical .
After speaking with all parties, I could not determine if a crime had been committed in violation of Georgia’s DV act. At that point, my investigation shifted to ensuring Nijuma removed himself from the property.
I told Nijuma that Studio 6 staff was refusing further service to him, and that they were trespassing him from the property. I advised Nijuma that he needed to gather his belongings and leave the premises. Nijuma became angry, but initially, began packing his belongings. Meanwhile, Blake was attempting to start conversation with Nijuma, who was already extremely upset, and seemed to be escalating the situation. At this point, Blake and Nijuma were being extremely loud and disruptive to the point multiple guests of Studio 6 were coming outside of their rooms to investigate the commotion. I advised both Blake and Nijuma multiple times to calm down and to stop using profane language due to this being a public place with children more likely than not are present in.
Nijuma then stopped packing his belongings, and proceeded to people on the phone, still yelling and using profane language. Blake was still yelling profanity, and I told him that he is obstructing my duties, and that he either needs to go back inside of his room or walk away. Blake, who was obviously under the influence of alcohol, and was actively drinking a “4 Loko” alcoholic beverage then walked downstairs to his vehicle. I then observed Blake get into the drivers seat of the vehicle. I ordered Blake to get out of the vehicle, and if he attempts to drive, I will place him under arrest for driving under the influence. Blake then exited the vehicle, and was shouting at me from the bottom floor saying I couldn’t take him to jail, because he has to blow a 0.08 in order to be arrested.
Due to my concern Blake was going to attempt to drive under the influence, I went downstairs. I told Blake that I have given him numerous warnings and opportunities to go inside of his room to avoid any unnecessary escalation and possible arrest. Blake advised he would go inside, but continued standing in the parking lot, still using profane language and drinking a 4 Loko, but was not walking upstairs. Simultaneously, I observed Ofc. Poston walking with Nijuma, who was carrying some of his belongings outside to [REDACTED]’s vehicle. Nijuma then began shouting profanities towards [REDACTED], and was advancing towards her. To avoid escalation, I grabbed Nijuma by his arm and told him he needs to continue packing his belongings.
[REDACTED] then left, and Nijuma walked upstairs to continue packing. Once back inside of the room, Nijuma asked if he would get a refund. I told Nijuma that a refund would be something that is settled by him and Studio 6. Nijuma then advised he wasn’t leaving, and sat down on the bed. I advised Nijuma again that he was not allowed on the property. Nijuma then said he wasn’t leaving without a refund, and attempted to close the door. After asking Nijuma to leave multiple times, observing him shout profanities in a public place, and obstructing me by refusing to leave and attempting to close the door when ordered not to, I placed Nijuma under arrest for Criminal Trespass, Disorderly Conduct and Obstruction. Nijuma was placed in double locked handcuffs and secured in the rear of a marked police vehicle.
Nijuma advised [REDACTED] could come gather his belongings. [REDACTED] arrived shortly after to remove Nijuma’s belongings from the room.
While completing paperwork, I observed Blake again get into the driver seat of his vehicle as multiple officers were giving clear instructions not to do so. I then observed Blake enter the driver seat, close the door and roll the window up. I also observed the rear lights of the vehicle come on, indicating the vehicle was being turned on. At that point, other officers and I ordered Blake out of the vehicle, and he complied. Due to Blake obstructing my by attempting to drive while under the influence while I was engaged in a lawful investigation, which hindered me from carrying out my duties, and the fact that Blake has been loud, profane and disruptive multiple times after being asked to go inside, I placed Blake under arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Obstruction. Blake was placed in double locked handcuffs, and secured in the rear of my marked police vehicle.
I then transported Blake to the Chatham County Detention Center to be booked under the above charges, and Ofc. Poston transported Nijuma.
Upon arrival to CCDC, Nijuma continued his disruptive behavior, even making threats to deputies. The deputies had to place Nijuma in the cool down cell.
After custody of Blak and Nijuma were transferred to CCDC staff, my investigation concluded.
[End of Narrative]