Name of Accused:
RAGSDALE, CHARLES WAYNE
Date of Arrest:
10/06/2024
Charges For Arrest:
VGCSA – POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE
VGCSA- MARIJUANA – FELONY – POSSESSION, SELL, DISTRIBUTE
LOITERING
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS – MISDEMEANOR
ABANDONMENT OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
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 10/06/2024
, at 2240 hours, I patrolled the Royal Crown Court area due to a recent burglary at the Dollar General (1003 North Park Street), Case# 24100315. While driving through the parking lot in my marked black and white police vehicle with reflective POLICE lettering on each side and the rear. I observed two males on the west side of the building holding brown paper bags, which are usually used to conceal an alcoholic beverage. I looped the parking lot, and a male in a red shirt went inside the Crown Inn, and the other, wearing shorts and a grey jacket, walked in the woods behind the Dollar General, concealing himself in the dark wooded area. I observed people walking and hanging out on foot numerous times throughout a patrol shift, and this behavior heightened my suspicion that crime was afoot.
I parked on the north side of the Dollar General parking lot and informed Ofc. Crafton to go to the North Park Street side of the business, and I would go around back. Upon making it around the corner of the business, I saw the male in the grey jacket come out from behind the business from the woods. I locked eyes with the subject, and it should be noted the area I was standing in was well-lit, and I was wearing a navy blue police uniform with a silver badge. The subject hid behind a power box, and I told him to come to me. The male then began running, and I yelled, “Police stop!” informing other units I was in a foot pursuit. I began running after the male into the Crown Inn, catching him in the hallway. The male was holding an open 16oz beer and asked what he did. I informed him that he was under arrest for obstruction and to place his hands behind his back. The male was adamant that I didn’t spill his beer, so I took it from him and sat it on the ground, then placed the male into handcuffs.
The male was identified as Charles Ragsdale and turned over to another officer to be placed in a patrol car. I then began checking the woods and Ragsdale’s path of travel to see if he had disregarded anything. I located a cell phone behind the power box with a broken screen that [RAGSDALE] claimed was his. Upon looking inside the hotel’s west entrance, a yellow plastic bag containing marijuana and a clear plastic bag containing methamphetamine were located. I went to Ragsdale, and he refused to speak with me. I and Ofc. Crafton went inside and looked at the video surveillance, and on the cameras, Ragsdale ran into the Crown, and his right hand extended under the stairwell as he was throwing the evidence.
Charles Ragsdale was transported to the Carroll County Jail, where he was charged with the following:
Possession of a controlled substance (meth.) OCGA 16-13-30
Possession of marijuana less than an Oz OCGA 16-13-2B
Loitering OCGA 16-10-24
Obstruction OCGA 16-10-24
Abandonment of dangerous drugs OCGA 16-13-3
I returned to the Carrollton Police Department and dropped evidence as follows:
210A – Clear plastic bag containing methamphetamine
210B – Yellow plastic bag containing marijuana
Warrants have been typed and are awaiting a signature from a judge.
[End of Narrative]