Juan Acevedo-Diaz

Name of Accused:
Acevedo-Diaz, Juan

Date of Arrest:
09/14/2024

Charges For Arrest:
Battery
Disorderly Conduct
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 9.14.24 at approximately 0157 hours I, Ofc T. Hammontree, responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in reference to a fight in progress in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
Upon arrival, I did not find any subjects in a physical disturbance. I observed 3 Hispanic males near a pick up truck in front of apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. These males were later identified as Hedy Macias, Luis Ponce, and Juan Acebedo. I then continued walking east through the parking lot and found the door of apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to be open. I proceeded to this apartment and found two hispanic males, [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2], outside the apartment trying to get my attention. As I cross the parking lot, I observed several areas of dried blood as well as a small pool that was still liquid approximately 10 feet south of the walkway that leads to apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I also noted several broken beer bottles near the walkway and blood on the parked vehicles that appeared to have come from a persons hand.
I attempted to gain further information from them, however I was unsuccessful due to a language barrier. They motioned for me to enter the apartment where I observed another Hispanic male, [VICTIM #3] laying on the couch near the entrance. I observed [VICTIM #3]’s face to be covered in blood, his right eye swollen shut, a considerable gash over his left eyebrow, and multiple other injuries to his face.
I then radioed for dispatch to have emergency medical services (EMS) to treat [VICTIM #3]. I also requested for Ofc. Aldava to meet on scene for translation.
Once she arrived, I stood by as Aldava was able to gain further information as to what happened to [VICTIM #3]. Aldava was told by [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] that the males I originally saw at apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] were responsible. They advised that the males began yelling at them for playing the same type of music and were copying their culture. They stated that when they refused to turn off their music, the males came over to their apartment and initiated a physical fight. They stated that Macias initiated the incident by hitting [VICTIM #3] while they all stood in the parking lot. [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] stated that they attempted to help defend [VICTIM #3], however other males from apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY], which included Ponce and Acebedo, began to assault them. Both males stated that they then felt in fear of their safety and began to run, however Ponce and Acebedo gave chase for a short distance towards the dumpster. The males stated that once they had gotten away from their attackers, they returned back to the parking lot they saw the group of males from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had all centered their attacks on [VICTIM #3] who was on the ground.
I observed [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] to have minor injuries consistent with a short physical incident. They advised that once the men left [VICTIM #3] in the parking lot, they were able to get him inside and wait for police to arrive.
I then went with Ofc. Aldava to speak with the other males at apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. These males advised that they did not initiate a fight and it was caused by the other participants. They stated that during the night, the males at apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been coming towards them on the sidewalk multiple times while yelling and taunting them. They advised that they no longer had the patience to deal with the taunting and met them half way between the apartments. They then stated that it was the males at apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began attempting to fight them which they defended themselves.
As the males were speaking I observed Ponce to have red knuckles that were consistent with someone that had recently been striking an object with a closed fist. In addition, Acebedo was observed to have a bloody knuckle and Macias had dried blood on his left shoe. The blood on Macias’s shoe was dried on the insole as well as the top where it appeared he may have attempted to wipe it away.
While each party story pointed blame at one another, took into account the evidence of the blood I observed on my initial approach where it was found in front of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. This being an inconsistency in their story of meeting half way to confront the other party.
Aldava continued to speak with the males which she then advised me that Ponce and Acebedo admitted to chasing [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] as they attempted to flee.
I then decided to place the three males under arrest. Each male was handcuffed and searched prior to being seat belted in the rear of patrol vehicles. I then transported Macias and Acebedo to the Whitfield County Jail while Ponce was transported by Ofc. Walker. Each male was turned over to the booking staff without incident.
Ponce was booked on warrantless arrest# 69216 for the offense:
OCGA 16-5-23.1 battery
OCGA 16-11-39 disorderly conduct
Acebedo was booked on warrantless arrest# 69215 for the offense:
OCGA 16-5-23.1 battery
OCGA 16-11-39 disorderly conduct
Macias was booked on warrantless arrest# 69214 for the offense:
OCGA 16-5-23.1 battery
OCGA 16-11-39 disorderly conduct
I later followed up at Hamilton Medical Center Emergency room where [VICTIM #3] already had been transported by EMS while officers were still on scene at the apartment complex. I was able to capture photos of his injuries after staff was able to clean the blood off of his injuries.
It should be also noted that all participants of this event were intoxicated by consuming alcohol throughout the night.
During this incident the suspects were advised they were under arrest. The suspects were searched incident to arrest. My patrol vehicle was searched prior to and following transport of the suspect. The suspects were secured in a seatbelt during transport. While at the jail my department issued side arm was secured inside a locker. The suspects and their belongings were turned over to booking staff at the jail with no issues. Booking staff was made aware of any medical or security risks at the time of handing the suspect over. The suspects advised that they were not an American citizen and did not wish to notify their consulate.
[End of Narrative]