Conservation Law Enforcement Center – July 2016

The Hall of Shame column is designed to highlight the efforts of Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division (LED) officers who, among their many duties, protect Georgia’s wildlife, sportsmen and natural resources from game-law violators.

Walton County: On Nov. 29, 2015 at 6:20 a.m., Cpl. Eddie Tompkins received a call from a hunter who leases property on Mitchell Road along the Walton and Gwinnett county line. There was a red truck parked at his gate. 

“I arrived on scene at approximately 0630 hours,” Cpl. Tompkins stated in the incident report. “I observed a red Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck and a white male subject dressed in camo who exited the woods and placed something in the bed of the truck as I approached. The subject was later identified as Robert Keith Ogletree. I asked Mr. Ogletree if he knew who owned the property, and he stated, ‘A friend’s grandpa.’

“While speaking with Mr. Ogletree I could smell the distinct odor of marijuana,” Cpl. Tompkins stated. “At this time a second white male subject exited the woods with a rifle in hand, dressed in camo. The subject, later identified as Ashley David Garmon, set the rifle on the hood of the truck, and I instructed him to stand at the tailgate. I asked Mr. Ogletree if he had any guns, knives, weapons or drugs in his pockets, and he responded, ‘I have some marijuana in my pocket.’ I located a plastic bag in his front right pocket. I cuffed Mr. Ogletree and explained that this was for my safety and his until I figured things out. I then located a plastic pill bottle in the front left cargo pocket of Mr. Ogletree that contained a white substance. I asked Mr. Ogletree what was in the pill bottle, and he stated, ‘Crushed pills.’ 

Cpl. Tompkins then asked Garmon if he had any drugs. He first said no, but then said, “I think there is a joint in my cigarette pack.”

The officer contacted dispatch to request a Walton County Sherrif’s Office deputy to assist. He then asked the subjects about the rifles, a 300 Win Mag and a Ruger 25-06, and determined that both belonged to Ogletree, although Garmon was hunting with the 300 Win Mag.

“While I was securing the firearms in my patrol vehicle, Mr. Garmon stated, ‘Hey sir, I got a crossbow. I hid it in the woods over there because I can’t lock my truck doors.’ I advised him that I would retrieve the crossbow after the deputy arrived and it was lighter outside where I could see it better.

“I then examined the contents of the pill bottle and determined it was methamphetamine and not crushed pills as Mr. Ogletree had indicated. I retrieved Mr. Garmon’s identification from the pickup truck and had Mr. Ogletree give me his name and date of birth since he did not have any identification with him. I asked Mr. Ogletree if he was wanted, suspended and/or a convicted felon. Mr. Ogletree indicated he was suspended and a convicted felon. I had Mr. Ogletree walk back to my patrol vehicle and secured him in the front passenger seat and advised that he was under arrest and read him the Miranda Warning. I asked Mr. Ogletree to be honest and asked if the substance in the pill bottles was methamphetamine, and Mr. Ogletree stated, ‘Yes sir.’

“Deputy Barry Finley arrived on scene and put Mr. Ogletree into his patrol vehicle. I asked Mr. Garmon if he is a convicted felon and he stated, “Yes sir.’ I advised Mr. Garmon he was under arrest and read him the required Miranda Warning. Deputy Finley and I then searched the vehicle. In the driver’s door handle I located a small plastic bag that contained a dark substance that was originally thought to be heroin but later determined to be marijuana resin concentrate. In a camo backpack  located in the bed of the pickup truck on the driver’s side I located a black camera case. In the camera case I located a glass pipe, a glass container with methamphetamine inside, marijuana and cigarillo wrappers.

“Deputy Finley and I then attempted to locate the crossbow. While looking for the crossbow, I noticed a female dressed in all camo laying in the edge of the woods off the side of an interior road. The female was identified as Kimberly Ann Barrieau.”

Robert Keith Ogletree, of Monroe, was charged with six counts including possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon and hunting without permission. After a negotiated guilty plea, he was sentenced to two years confinement and eight years probation, and he was fined $2,000.

Ashley David Garmon, of Lilburn, was charged with nine counts including possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon and hunting without permission. After a negotiated guilty plea, he was sentenced to five years total, with disposition regarding years of confinement and probation to be determined by the Department of Corrections. He was fined $1,100.

Kimberly Ann Barrieau, of Loganville, was charged with six hunting violations, including hunting without a license and hunting without permission. She was sentenced to 48 months probation and fined $2,000.