NIBRS Incident Report

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

10723 US 301 SOUTH
STATESBORO, GA 30458
Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

LOCATION(S)
County Location Type Location Description
BULLOCH INCIDENT LOCATION 16650 Georgia 67
Street Number Street Apt/Lot/Bldg City State Zip Code Phone Number Ext.
GA-67 STATESBORO GA 30458

Person: SUSPECT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
ELI DEMETRIUS PORTER BLACK MALE 5' 00 100 BLK BRO
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
1987 32 ,, C034922389 SC
Addresses
• / 101 ZINNIA CT, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 /

Person: SUSPECT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
KEYRON CURTIS COOPER BLACK MALE 6'01" 165 BRO
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
1987 32 ,, 059516274 GA C
Addresses
• / 122 SUMMER WIND PL, BROOKLET, GA 30415 /

Person: SUSPECT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
FRANCOIS LE'TONE WILLIAMS BLACK MALE 5'10" 170 BRO
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
1997 22 ,, 058114713 GA C
Addresses
• / 122 LANIER DR APT 731, STATESBORO, GA 30458 /

Person: SUSPECT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
TIMOTHY C VAN BEVERHOUDT BLACK MALE 5'04" 142 BRO

NIBRS Incident Report Page 1 of 7

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
/1992 28 ,, 060474283 GA C
Addresses
• / 209 COURTNEY WAY, STATESBORO, GA 30458 /

Person: SUSPECT
First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix Race Sex Height Weight Hair Eyes
MICHAEL ISAIAH SINGLETON WHITE MALE 5'09" 165 BRO
MNI # SSN Date of Birth Age Place of Birth Drivers License or other ID State ID Type
1997 22 ,, 058277337 GA C
Addresses
• / 122 LANIER DR APT 731, STATESBORO, GA 30458 /

Charge
Counts Charge Arrest Offense Code Description
1 16-5-60
Charge Degree Charge Level General Offense Code
GEORGIA CRIMINAL CODE COMPLETED
Charge Description
RECKLESS CONDUCT

Narrative
Narrative Date/Time Narrative Synopsis
4/6/2020 1:45:19 PM
Reporting Officer Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Org/Unit
THIGPEN, D. SERGEANT 0773 GSPF\POST 45
Officer Signature Officer Agency
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
This incident narrative was completed by Sgt. Derrell Thigpen #773, Post 45 Statesboro.

On 4/5/2020 at approximately 1350 hours, the Troop F Communications Center received a call
about a large gathering at a church located at 16650 Georgia Highway 67. The complaint was
originated by a Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputy who had driven by the location and observed that the
patrons of the church were in violation of the Governors Executive Order pertaining to Covid-19. The
deputy reported that there were approximately 40 cars in the parking lot of the church. Cpl. Matt Sowell
#494 and I responded to the church in reference to the complaint. When I arrived on scene, I
contacted two individuals who were in the parking lot. I could see through the window that the meeting
room was very small and the people inside were not adhering to the executive order. I explained to the
two gentlemen in the parking lot the reason for my presence. I told them that we had received a
complaint in reference to the violation of the executive order. I told them that they could have church,
NIBRS Incident Report Page 2 of 7
Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

but they needed to move outside and adhere to the 6 feet social distancing rule. I asked the gentlemen
to let the pastor know that we were outside and would like to speak to him when he was done
preaching. After some time had passed, I noticed another gentleman come outside and start to fill a
stock tank with water. I asked him if they were preparing to do baptisms and he said yes. I made
contact with the subject that I had already spoken to and told him that it was not a good idea to do the
baptism. I told him again that I needed to speak to the preacher, but he said he could not interrupt him.
Another man that was listening to our conversation went inside to speak to the preacher. A few
minutes later he returned and told me that the pastor was aware of my presence and the situation;
however, he stated that he was not going to stop preaching. Cpl. Sowell took a photo of the tag of
every vehicle in the parking lot to log who was in attendance. At that point, I contacted the radio room
and instructed the operator to have Bulloch County Deputies respond to the scene for assistance. The
radio room advised me that Bulloch County stated they did not have any deputies available. TFC3
Jonathon Malone #792 were finishing up with a crash and Cpl. Sowell instructed him to come to our
location to assist. A few minutes later, Bulloch Central advised that they had three deputies in route to
assist. About the time the deputies arrived on scene, the church members were beginning to exit the
building. Cpl. Sowell asked several members to identify the pastor so we could speak to him. None of
the members would identify the pastor; however, as they exited the building, everyone was hugging
and shaking hands with one man in particular. He was dressed in a suit and I suspected him to be the
pastor. Cpl. Sowell asked him if he was the pastor and he told Cpl. Sowell that he had nothing to say
to him. I approached him and told him that we were there asking for voluntary compliance. He asked
me to speak to his attorney on the phone. I spoke to the man on the phone that identified himself as
the church’s attorney. He asked me if I was asking for voluntary compliance, or was I mandating
compliance. I told the attorney at this time I was asking for voluntary compliance; however, I told him
that the executive order was a mandate put into place by the Governor. The attorney stated that we
were violating their First Amendment rights by prohibiting their right to assemble. I assured the
attorney that we were not infringing on their right to assemble. The executive order simply put
restrictions into place to limit people’s exposure during this time. After ending my conversation with the
attorney, I told the pastor that the next time we would take enforcement action. The congregation
began to disperse and the vehicles started to leave the parking lot. The pastor was the front seat
passenger of one of the vehicles. The driver of the vehicle stopped in the roadway and blocked other
vehicles from leaving. Several of the driver’s were warned for improper stopping in the roadway. After
the vehicle operators where warned, everyone left the scene.
Narrative
Narrative Date/Time Narrative Synopsis
4/6/2020 1:45:59 PM
Reporting Officer Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Org/Unit
THIGPEN, D. SERGEANT 0773 GSPF\POST 45

NIBRS Incident Report Page 3 of 7

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

Officer Signature Officer Agency

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
This incident narrative is completed by Lt. Chris Lacienski #45 of Troop F Command.
On 4/5/2020 at approximately 2034 hours, the Troop F Communication Center notified me of a large
gathering complaint at the Church of God the Bible Way located on GA 67 near South Bend Drive.
Myself, TFC3 Holloway, TFC2 Hammond, and TFC1 DiGiacomo responded to the location. Upon
arrival, it was observed that there were 21 vehicles parked in the parking area of the building. After
documenting each vehicle that was parked at the church, I spoke with four male subjects that were
standing at the main entrance and were obviously acting as security for the front entrance. I advised
the four subjects as to the reason that we had responded to their gathering. I explained to them that
we had previously been to this location earlier in the day due to a complaint of them holding a large
gathering in disregard of the Governor’s Executive Order 03.14.20.01. During the earlier response,
they were warned regarding the messaging in the order and their need to abide by the order and its
social distancing guidelines. I further relayed to the individuals that we did not wish to stop their
worship service but we simply wanted to promote the public safety of following the Executive Order
03.14.20.01 and maintaining the proper social distancing. The suggestion was made for them to go
outside and conduct their service in the parking area where they could easily maintain the proper
distancing. The subjects were very defiant to any suggestions and cited their First Amendment right to
gather and worship. One of the subjects who was dressed in a white one piece outfit identified himself
as one of the pastors. The other pastor, who was later identified as Eli Porter, was located inside the
building and was officiating a worship service with a minimum of 30 persons in attendance. In viewing
the inside of the building, it was apparent that no one inside was observing the 6 feet social distance
guideline and it was further observed that there were several younger children in attendance.
While speaking with the four males outside of the front door, it was apparent that they were continuing
to be uncooperative toward any of our requests. I asked each of them for their identifications and they
failed to immediately provide them to me. They questioned the validity and legality of my request for
their identification. I explained to them they were in violation of Executive Order 03.14.20.01 and were
further helping to facilitate the violation of the order in direct and overt defiance of previous requests in
which they were warned regarding their gathering. I further advised them that they did indeed have to
provide me with their personal identification upon my request due to my enforcement action of the
Executive Order. At this point, I advised them they each had 5 minutes to provide me with their
identification. The taller male subject in the group advised me that he would have to call their attorney
and seek guidance. I advised him that would be acceptable and welcomed. After the male subject
spoke with his counsel, he gave me his telephone to speak with the person also. The person on the
phone identified himself as Jum Puentes who was later determined to be the Security Director for the
Church of God the Bible Way. In speaking with Mr. Puentes, I identified myself and our concerns and
advised him that I needed the identifications for the four males I was speaking with outside as well as
the pastor who was inside conducting the service. I assured Mr. Puentes that no one would be
arrested at this time and we were seeking voluntary compliance. I further advised Mr. Puentes that it
NIBRS Incident Report Page 4 of 7
Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

was very apparent that we were not receiving any cooperation from the church leadership at the
location and that we were planning to issue appearance citations to the five identified individuals for a
violation of the Executive Order. Mr. Puentes was very helpful and courteous toward my requests.
The four male subjects gave me their identifications. They were identified as Keyron Curtis Cooper,
Michael Isaiah Singleton, Timothy C. Van Beverhoudt, and Francois Le’Tone Williams. I instructed
TFC1 DiGiacomo to issue each of them an appearance citation for Reckless Conduct per Executive
Order 03.14.20.01 . I advised the subjects that no one would be taken to jail regarding the charges and
we would be currently issuing them appearance citations. I also advised them that I required the
personal identification for the pastor that was currently inside conducting the service. I had to again
speak with the security director Mr. Puentes to eventually gain a copy of a laminated document that
had some identifying information for Mr. Eli Porter who was identified as being the pastor organizing
and conducting the service inside.
I proceeded to issue Mr. Porter a citation for Reckless Conduct with the information provided. To the
best of my knowledge and with the information provided, the person was identified as Eli Demetrius
Porter of 101 Zinnia Court Summerville, SC 29483. The information provided on the laminated
document coincided with the SC tag information returned from the vehicle identified to be Mr. Porter’s
vehicle that was parked in the parking area. I had to once again speak with Mr. Puentes to request that
Mr. Porter exit the building in order to issue him the citation. When Mr. Porter exited the building, I
addressed him as Mr. Eli Porter and he stated to me that the information provided on the laminate
sheet was not him but it was his brother. It was very apparent that Mr. Porter was not being
forthcoming or cooperative in my attempt to issue him the citation. He again walked inside and ignored
my request to speak with him. After several more minutes, Mr. Porter eventually exited the building
with a large crowd of the congregation as he held his hands in the air and continued to be very
uncooperative and defiant to our requests. I instructed Mr. Porter that he was being charged with
Reckless Conduct regarding his violation of Executive Order 03.14.20.01, showed him his copy of the
citation, and laid it on the trunk of the vehicle he was standing next to.
During this incident, I contacted the building owner, Mr. Billy Blanton ( ). In speaking
with Mr. Blanton, he stated that Mr. Eli Porter was the contact person with whom he has a lease
agreement for the building. On the following date, Mr. Blanton provided me with a copy of the lease
agreement as well as the contact number for Mr. Porter ( ). Mr. Blanton also advised me
on the following date that he receives payment for the lease from Redeeming Love Church of 24
Crossgate Way Guyton, GA 31312.
After issuing Mr. Porter his citation, I instructed all law enforcement units to disperse from the area.
The incident was video recorded on my state issued Southern Linc device.
Narrative
Narrative Date/Time Narrative Synopsis
4/6/2020 6:35:27 PM

NIBRS Incident Report Page 5 of 7

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

Reporting Officer Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Org/Unit

THIGPEN, D. SERGEANT 0773 GSPF\POST 45
Officer Signature Officer Agency
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
This third narrative is created by Lt. Lacienski to make a correction regarding the incorrect Executive
Order number in the second narrative. The correct Executive Order number should be Executive Order
04.02.20.01
Narrative
Narrative Date/Time Narrative Synopsis
4/6/2020 9:06:36 PM
Reporting Officer Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Org/Unit
GSPF\COMMAN
LACIENSKI, J. LIEUTENANT 0045
D
Officer Signature Officer Agency
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
This fourth narrative is created by Lt. Lacienski to clarify the correct Executive Order number. Any
Executive Order mentioned in the previous narratives should be correctly referred to as Executive
Order .04.02.20.2.
Officer: Approving Supervisor (Supplement 04)
Officer Name Officer Rank Officer ID No Officer Agency
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
R.P. BALKCOM CAPTAIN 0016
SAFETY
Approval Date / Time Officer Signature
4/6/2020 9:23:09 PM

RELATED REPORT(S)
Report Name Report Number / Description
Uniform Traffic Citation E03377587
Officer Name Involvement On Report / Officer Agency
Sup # Rank / ID # Reporting Role Org/Unit
LACIENSKI, J. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
02 REPORTING OFFICER
LIEUTENANT 0045 GSPF\COMMAND
THIGPEN, D. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
01
SERGEANT 0773 GSPF\POST 45
R.P. BALKCOM GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
01 APPROVING SUPERVISOR
CAPTAIN 0016 GSPF\COMMAND

NIBRS Incident Report Page 6 of 7

Report Date / Time Report Number Report Case/CAD Number Reporting Officer Rank / ID Reporting Officer Name
4/5/2020 4:02:27 PM DPS00043999 (04) DPS00043999 / SERGEANT / 0773 THIGPEN, D.
GSPF20CAD013582
Originating Agency ORI Reported to Agency Date Occur Date Range Jurisdiction Status:
GAGSP0000 4/5/2020 1:50:18 PM 04/05/2020 13:50:18 - GADPS Clearance: ADMINISTRATI
VE
Offense Description
1037 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE

The undersigned certifies and swears that he/she has just and reasonable grounds to believe that the above named Defendant,
committed violation(s), of law, on the below date(s) and time(s), as listed in the narratives associated with this report:
Officer: Reporting Officer (Supplement04)
Officer Name Office Rank Officer ID No
THIGPEN, D. SERGEANT 0773
Officer Agency
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Officer Signature

NIBRS Incident Report Page 7 of 7