Well, now, it really is turning into a magical season.
The district attorney’s office in Winder, Georgia, has dismissed criminal charges against Georgia linebacker Natrez Patrick, his attorney told ESPN on Thursday. Patrick was one of two Bulldogs players arrested on misdemeanor marijuana charges on Dec. 3.
These were some serious charges, too.
Patrick’s attorney, William Healan III of Winder, told ESPN that officers arrested Patrick after discovering a loose leaf of marijuana in the passenger’s seat of Stanley’s car. Healan said the leaf was smaller than a penny.
“When you get into someone’s car, you’re not going to search it to see if there’s marijuana in the car,” Healan said. “My client didn’t know the marijuana was there. If you’re sitting on a little piece of marijuana that you didn’t know was there, you’re not knowingly in possession of it.”
On a scale of withholding your middle name to emerging from an alley, that fits right in. So while you may think a dismissal under these circumstances is no big deal, remember whom we’re talking about here and how things usually go in our little part of the world.
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UPDATE: You can’t put a street value on this bust.
Get The Picture 
TheTimes. They are a’ Changin’
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There’s a “his ass is grass” joke in there somewhere.
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^ You win the internet today. 🙂
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Lawnmower missing…..bout time we started playing on the same level playing field as Bama and the rest.
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Ugh. I have boogers bigger than that.
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Seriously. That update photo shows just how ridiculous this was.
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W Healan III
Education
University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
J.D. – 1996
University of Georgia
B.B.A. cum laude – 1993
Hats off to you, sir. Hunley Johnson may be giving you a call
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I know Billy — good guy. Well connected there in Barrow County.
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I’ve done a lot of criminal work, both as a prosecutor and defense attorney and thought this legal result was to be expected, as long as Jayson told it like it happened. That said, I don’t know that the UGA handbook has the same standards as the criminal justice system, but I hope so.
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My mom was a lawyer for decades and she always told me to remember two things: don’t let the cops search your car and don’t talk to the cops without a lawyer.
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Has Huntley Johnson opened a branch office in Winder?????
But, as Hans Gruber once said in the excellent Christmas movie “Die Hard,” to his cohort “Be of good cheer, Theo. Christmas is the season of miracles.”
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I’m curious if these charges would have held up if we were slated to play, say, Iowa in the Belk Bowl.
In all seriousness, CKS needs to bring in a legal expert (SB?) to drill into the heads of the entire team to very basic and very easy to understand tenets: 1. Never talk to the police. 2. Never agree to a search without a search warrant.
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Once Stanley was arrested for DUI they could search. Stanley was talking trying to save his friend, something we all would have done at 20 years old.
I appreciate the police and think they have a completely thankless job. But, it would be nice if they weren’t so overzealous.
It would be interesting to know what led them to charge him with DUI in the first place.
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Serve and protect!
If they did that instead of acting like they’re marines in fallujah we’d all be better off. End the drug war. Stop tbe militarization of the police.
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From the halls of Montezuma to shores of Arroyo Seco.
https://twitter.com/Rschooley/status/940963239789191168
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HAHA…that’s awesome. Dude needs a cig and a drink in his hand.
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https://twitter.com/Rschooley/status/941152176147009536
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Next tour he will be opening for Ron White.
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And a foot in his mouth
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I really hate it when you are right about something, but in this case you are dead on.
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Speaking of serve and protect, most people aren’t aware that police are under no legal authority or obligation to protect you, as ruled myriad times by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Another lifetime ago I worked 20 hrs a week as a police reserve/ recruit in a small town with the understanding I would get the next available FT slot.
It was stupid fun at times (did not like eating from the aisles of convenience stores and filling out reports under flourescent lights at 4am) but it was perhaps the most gratifying job I’ve ever had. I truly felt like I was in a position to help people, show kindness, etc – and as I mentioned it was stupid fun.
I quit because I could not reconcile busting free born Americans for drugs when they were not DUI with my libertarian sensibilities.
Agree it is long past time to end the drug war.
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Well, he was weaving within his lane. That’s pretty serious right there.
/sarcasm
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BS, this was a ridiculous arrest….nothing like a Barney with a gun.
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Night of big victory.
Wonder how many sorority sisters or professors or local citizens were stopped that week in Winder.
Remember this about all law enforcement with a side arm…they have the authority to use deadly force.
Those guys were probably told to cooperate with all law enforcement because you wear, not the Scarlett Letter, but a big red G on your back.
Thus you are a primary target.
Just curious what the arrest record in whatever county Winder is in for drug dealers. Probably zero.
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In Barrow Co I imagine they have ample opportunity to bust poor white people for elicit sale of prescription drugs.
I’m guessing their problems had more to do with how God made them than it did with their participation in intercollegiate athletics.
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Oh, hell yeah!
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The starting Georgia LB exception to the DWB rule.
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Driving while Bulldawg?
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Lexicon nominee right there.
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I wonder if the officer still gets credit down at the precinct for nabbing a football player.
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Only in Athens, apparently.
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Sorry, but I can’t help but feel the legal outcome would have been different in Athens Clarke County. Assuming he passed any drug tests administered we truly did dodge a bullett
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It would be the “Georgia Way” now for McGarrity to intercede and drug test Natrez anyway just to make sure. This is the man who tested for pot after players returned from spring break to get Baccari Ramo back in 2012.
On the cusp of a potential football national championship, McGarrity could instead wrest the Self-aggrandizing, Sanctimony championship for Butts Mehre for all time, earning immediate enshrinement in the Georgia Way Hall of Fame.
“The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be having fun.”
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Carla was processed. The constant draconian piss testing should be a thing of the past.
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Wasn’t that H.L. Mencken’s definition of a prude? And here I thought that McG was just a prick. Now I find that he’s either a prickish prude or a prudish prick.
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Being reported that he also passed drug test.
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Man, that better be some seriously potent weed if someone planned to get high on that. It’s been a long time since I “held”, and some cop may find that little bit in my truck today. Just a little FYI- there have been some recent departures from the BM who may have made sure the rules of the handbook were followed who a’int there no more. My guess is that we see #6 on the field on Jan 1 and we may not have if we had played in this game last year.
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And hungrier than ever!
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But he never inhaled (per the drug test)!
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Rest assured, there are still 18 days and a grades report between now and new years day.
The Georgia Way stands vigilant.
#KEEPINGATHLETICSINITSPLACE #COMMITTOTHEG
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The next semester doesn’t start until 1/4/18.
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Perfect.
We’ll hit them when it hurts the most.
#COMMITTOTHEG
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So you are saying we might have some guys that are eligible for the Rose Bowl but not for the MNC?
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McGoofity can only dream. Can you imagine the moralizing he could wring out of a situation like that?
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McGoofty did hire Kirby….
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Which I believe had a bunch of you on here saying DD part 2
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One more reason why I’ll never regret my Athens to Denver relocation.
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Sigh (of envy). And the skiing ain’t bad either.
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Me too. I fully appreciate the sanity of living in a free state.
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And Stanley ain’t cannon fodder either. Speeding and ganja arrests were the two lowest counts, so the hope is that a 3-game suspension will suffice. Hell, I hope that’s reduced as well.
Thought Stanley would be what Wims was to us this year. Stanley is on STs and plays scout for our pass D. He will be valuable in games this coming season as well, was a primary target in our Spring Game and is a damned fine receiver. And he saved Patrick.
Stanley, he died for our team sins.
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The more underrated part of this development is that Natrez will probably be back for the 2018 season barring any more problems.
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For some reason, I think it’ll be suggested to him that he try to enter the NFL draft. He narrowly escaped a 3rd strike here.
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1) Between this and Jimmy Williamson leaving, can we safely say that Kirby is firmly running the show?
2) I’d advise Patrick to go pro.
3) He owes Stanley 15% of all future earnings.
4) In for a penny, in for a .. gram?
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Williamson would have had them tarred and feathered on the spot.
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Sweet. We are going to need Patrick January 1.
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Since some of the comments have been about the police, I thought I would supply this link: https://www.speedtrap.org/georgia-speed-trap-cities/
I challenge anyone to read about what is going on in Darien with the speeding tickets and not get angry. Complete highway robbery. I have never seen so many police icons light up on my Waze app until my drive through there going down to the Cocktail party this year. I didn’t get busted, but man they were lighting them up everywhere. I on the other hand got busted by that asshole in Oliver (#9 on the list). Those bastards stole $375 from me right before Christmas a few years back.
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For years, Ludowici was the king of GA speed traps.
I have family in Turner County and am all too familiar with Ashburn speed traps. I can’t say I’ve ever driven I 75 through Turner County and NOT seen at least 2 police cars on the highway.
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I can’t believe Millen isn’t on that list…
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Immediately south of Adele on 75. 70 on one side of the overpass, 50 on the other. One car was pulling out after being ticketed, the Cook county mountie was flagging me in from the middle of the road as his prior victim was pulling out.
” Mr. Cowdog, do you know how fast you were going?”
“73”
“The speed limit is 50”
“Bullshit, where’s it say that?”
“That sign right there.” Points to sign tucked behind overpass bank.
“You can’t see that from the road!”
“Not going 73 miles per hour you can’t. But I can”
23 MPH over in a construction zone. $375.00. Hands me the ticket, doesn’t even get back in his car, steps back in the road, and flags down the next car. Fucking Gestapo. I’m typically a fan of those who serve, but that was bullshit right there.
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Why did you stop for a cop waving at you from outside his car? At least see if he was wiling to pursue and pull you over. Blue lights behind you means you are required to pull over. There is no legal hand gesture that forces you to pull over by law.
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Lots of lawyers comment here, but not a peep out of any of them on this subject. $$$$$$
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Because he was standing in the middle of the fucking road. The cruiser was parked on the side with the blues on. What? You want I should run over him?
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there is actually a considerable amount of case law that says if Cowdog doesn’t stop he will be charged and convicted of failure to obey the lawful command of a law enforcement officer(that could be either obstruction or fleeing and eluding)/ if the officer is in full uniform and you see him it is a lawful stop. Now don’t get me wrong I think those cases are BS but the law is on the cops side. This isn’t about lose of freedom or public safety this is about revenue for small jurisdictions. When we called them police officers they were there to protect and serve but after they became law enforcement they were there to do just that enforce laws and raise revenue. Stopped on I-16.for speeding(aka going with the flow of traffic) and when the cop asked me , “Do you know why I stopped you?’ I told him he didn’t want me to answer that question. When he told me he did I said,”because Laurens County needs some revenue” He did not seem amused but to his credit he merely cited me for too fast for conditions meaning no record and no points. Most sheriffs don’t have a good enough sense of humor to do that..$96.00
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I’ve found cops are looking for a little respect and if you show it (without being a bitch), you can either get off or get reduced fines.
I got pulled over a couple years ago on I-16 about 30 miles outside of Statesboro. Got off with a warning -all it took was a couple yes/no sirs and clearly answering his questions.
I’ve had other speeding situations I have not gotten off but they could have screwed me even more than they did.
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From one of your resident former police career people, who actually once ran a narcotics enforcement unit
Just because one can make an arrest, doesn’t always mean one should. Having been around many prosecutors in many parts of this state, it is hard to fathom why the Patrick arrest was made to begin with. Absent some very extenuating circumstances I don’t know any prosecutor who would want to prosecute someone for sitting on top of that much marijuana. As far as we know Patrick is not some drug or gang lord where there may be good reasons to arrest on some chicken poop charge to accomplish other goals, and the incident clearly wasn’t one where there was a fight with the deputy or something like that where they may be good reasons to make an arrest on case that isn’t winnable.
Maybe the deputy is new and couldn’t understand why this was not a real prosecutable case. Absent some other compelling reason (like the ones laid out above) I’d have raised hell with one of my investigators for making that arrest. If you feel compelled for some reason to pursue the matter, you can always seize the “evidence” and consult with the prosecutor later. It is not like it would be hard to find Patrick if one were to get a warrant later (once the prosecutor decided it was a case to prosecute). You can’t really “unarrest” someone or repair their reputation once it has been done. So why ring the bell when there isn’t a real reason to do so.
Cruddy arrests (trying to keep it polite here) are a real good way to lose what faith the community has in you for being fair. Once a department loses that with the local community, bad things happen to the department (especially elected officials like Sheriffs).
My two cents…
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Good info and comment.
I wish more people would operate with some common sense (and I ain’t talking about Natrez here) rather than enforce every little fucking rule (or law in this case).
No experience with police business but if I was a cop and my buddy/colleague hauled in those 2 for that bullshit there would be some serious hazing on that douche from me.
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I have an attorney friend in that area. The arresting officer is notorious for being ultra perfect on his stops and paperwork as well as an equal opportunity jackass.
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Not to mention others in Barrow County who will be arrested and demand the same “leniency’ in the system that the football player got.
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Leniency for tiny amounts of weed near where you’re sitting in a car. That’s not the kind of leniency that frightens me.
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I Hope that the same folks that so publicly gleefully told of his arrest and his probably kicking off the team will now as vocally eat crow.
When I watched the video tape I saw a cop making sure he documented that he smelt a strong odor of THC. Was it coming from this little bud?
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Here’s exactly why both were charged. It’s all about the money. This why most smaller counties and municipalities aren’t willing to change their marijuana arrest policies. Most larger and progressive areas are just citing violators for possession of less than an ounce and they end up paying a reasonable fine. Luckily the players were in position to obtain a lawyer, or the charge probably would still stand. A friend of mine’s son was arrested and charged for possession, along with a friend, while parked at a private apartment complex in a small town here in state. The amount was barely enough to fill a bowl, but they both were arrested, cuffed, taken in and booked. The vehicle was towed from a private parking place. My friend is a struggling widow and neither her nor the other kid’s parent could afford an attorney. I went with her to the joke of a municipal court and both kids were urged to plead no contest with the condition the arrest would not be on their record. They were each assessed a $750 fine, court costs, and sentenced to one year on supervised probation. The private, for profit probation service, located across the street from the city court, charged $1400. Add in the $150 impound fee, and each family ended up being on the hook for nearly $2500 for an offense that should only warrant a $250-300 citation. It’s all a damn racket. This is basically the same way underage drinking arrests are handled in Athens. This is the kind of legal bullshit poor people have to put up with everyday.
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Finally! The real Process is in full effect. Been waiting on this. Is Williamson’s retirement a coincidence? I think not! Good days around the bend.
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We’re definitely all in on Kirby. Even the people who normally haven’t done the football program any favors. This was Patrick’s 5th weed related incident and he’s basically walked in 2 of them and he’s still with the program. LMAO! Looks like we’re going the whatever it takes route. Meh. We better at least get a national title out of it soon.
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When we are trying to get a guy off from a serious charge then that’s the time to be concerned. Small stash of weed? Don’t give a shit. From the pic in the “evidence” photo, Barney Fife should be ashamed of himself.
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Whatever it takes? LMAO.
Georgia won a Fulmer Cup in 2010 under Richt, bro. Come back around when you dismount the high horse.
What serious charges have gone unpunished under the new coaching staff?
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You’re actually insinuating that the coach has anything to do with the choices people make. Since you went there…we also removed several of those players, not brush the same thing under the table time and time again. How many times has Patrick been arrested now? For the same thing? LMAO indeed!
You can rationalize it however you like. As long as Georgia wins footbaw games what do you care what happens, right?
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No, I do not. Take that old loser ass mentality with you to Miami, who ironically won all 5 of their MNC’s by not giving a shit if guys smoke weed. I hear a new Sheriff is in town though.
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You still haven’t answered the question directed at your original point, which was barely coherent to begin with. Try to troll better next time.
Long live your cognitive dissonance, jabo052.
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I’m sorry, I’m having trouble hearing this comment for the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY IN MY EAR.
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This made me lol.
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I hope they made Patrick agree to return for his senior season for bailing him out. What am I saying? The guy couldn’t make it another season without smoking weed.
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Stay classy.
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I bet you are a hoot at parties…who am I kidding, who would want you at a party?
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Regarding the updated picture, I’ve pulled ticks off my dog bigger than that piece of marijuana they used as evidence.
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So, the yield of a non-DUI bust was a leaf of weed? How’s that not Driving While Black?
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When I was in college, I probably unknowingly rode in a car with that amount of weed hundreds of times.
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Two Thoughts:
Poulan, between Albany & Tifton, on the way to St. Simons, used to be the worst speed trap in Southwest Georgia.
Does “Commit to the G”, as in the Georgia Way, have a double entendre meaning for McGarity & crew as in committ to the $G??
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Barrow county taxpayer dollars at work.🚓
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The better question is why would I want to party with someone dumb enough to make excuses for getting arrested 3 or 4 times for the same thing?
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