Threat of Arrest by Officer |
***Disclaimer: This call was recorded two days before the arrest. He has a severe lack of knowledge of the Georgia LAW .... and apparently knows nothing about the Constitution either.
An Ante Litem Notice is being filed that alleges “reckless” police work -which included false statements and crucial omissions’ in an affidavit the officer submitted to a Magistrate Judge- which caused a local woman to be falsely arrested and jailed for having possession of her vehicle during a brief separation. Although, the vehicle was titled in her husband’s name, it was marital property and had been voluntarily given to her by her husband.
The suit is being filed by Jana Underwood, who previously worked in the Insurance industry for over 10 years, served her community by volunteering as a coach, founded Grassroots Guardians of Truth; an Advocacy for Justice Reform four years ago, and owns Underwood Consulting Services and its subsidiary mommyofmacs.com; a parenting, coupon, family website.
Mrs. Underwood was contacted by Bradley Pritchard of the Plains Police Dept. on a recorded call in which Officer Pritchard was advised that the vehicle is communal marital property. Officer Pritchard then threatened, if the vehicle wasn’t returned by the following morning, that a warrant would be obtained and the car reported as stolen in the GCIC system.
Mrs. Underwood has spent the last several years advocating for others whom have been rightly and wrongly accused. She advised Officer Pritchard that the OCGA protects her from being arrested for having possession of a marital asset and that she had a recorded call with her husband stating that he was giving her the vehicle. He blatantly ignored the definition of law and sought a warrant for Felony Theft of Taking. Georgia Law O.C.G.A. 16-8-1 (definitions) the term “property of another” includes property in which any person other than the accused has an interest but does not include property belonging to the spouse of an accused or to them jointly. The bogus warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Connie Johnson without a hearing and solely based on the officers false statements and an incident report that was filed by third party family members other than the husband.
After learning that a warrant had been issued for her arrest, Mrs. Underwood made arrangements for her children and went to the District Attorney’s office to correct what she knew was a terrible mistake. Before having the opportunity to speak with the D.A. she was detained by two Sherriff Department Officers and taken to the Sumter County Jail. She was then arrested, fingerprinted, photographed, and thrown into a dirty cramped and scary jail cell, where she then spent hours waiting for bail. All the while, worrying about her children, as her youngest was still breastfeeding.
Officers have a responsibility to exercise their power and duties with the utmost care. That wasn’t done in this case. If Officer Pritchard had acknowledged the law, he wouldn’t have pursued a warrant. Georgia Law O.C.G.A. 16-8-1 (definitions) the term “property of another” includes property in which any person other than the accused has an interest but does not include property belonging to the spouse of an accused or to them jointly.
If he had not omitted the facts and submitted an honest affidavit, no judge would have entered a warrant. Jana endured the horror of a baseless arrest, spent hours in a jail cell, and had her picture printed in the media. “My rights were read to me in the holding cell by Officer Bradley Pritchard and I was interrogated without an attorney present and treated like a criminal and threatened with other charges,” states Jana. “But the worst was knowing that my children, including my breastfeeding baby.. Were out there, and that I was trapped in there with no way to protect them. The detention and events leading up to it were devastating and antagonizing.”
“ I was released hours later on an OR Bond. I stood outside of the Jail with no phone and no car. I didn’t know if anyone even knew if I was out. A lady that I’ve never met heard about it and come to pick me up. The bogus charges were Nol Prossed a few days later and the record was restricted. There was never any basis for any criminal charge or arrest. My name and charge were released and publicized on radio and my picture was printed in the newspaper that I previously wrote articles for exposing corruption in our area. It was embarrassing. I’ve never stolen anything in my life. I’ve worked hard for what I do have and still struggle with the fact that the laws meant to protect us can be ignored like that” states Jana Underwood.
“If this protection didn’t exist then women and men alike could be arrested for stealing their car for being at the grocery store for too long.” Jana further stated. Audio, Police Reports, and Court Documents will be made public on her site for inspection at grassrootsguardiansoftruth.weebly.com and on Facebook.
The suit is being filed by Jana Underwood, who previously worked in the Insurance industry for over 10 years, served her community by volunteering as a coach, founded Grassroots Guardians of Truth; an Advocacy for Justice Reform four years ago, and owns Underwood Consulting Services and its subsidiary mommyofmacs.com; a parenting, coupon, family website.
Mrs. Underwood was contacted by Bradley Pritchard of the Plains Police Dept. on a recorded call in which Officer Pritchard was advised that the vehicle is communal marital property. Officer Pritchard then threatened, if the vehicle wasn’t returned by the following morning, that a warrant would be obtained and the car reported as stolen in the GCIC system.
Mrs. Underwood has spent the last several years advocating for others whom have been rightly and wrongly accused. She advised Officer Pritchard that the OCGA protects her from being arrested for having possession of a marital asset and that she had a recorded call with her husband stating that he was giving her the vehicle. He blatantly ignored the definition of law and sought a warrant for Felony Theft of Taking. Georgia Law O.C.G.A. 16-8-1 (definitions) the term “property of another” includes property in which any person other than the accused has an interest but does not include property belonging to the spouse of an accused or to them jointly. The bogus warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Connie Johnson without a hearing and solely based on the officers false statements and an incident report that was filed by third party family members other than the husband.
After learning that a warrant had been issued for her arrest, Mrs. Underwood made arrangements for her children and went to the District Attorney’s office to correct what she knew was a terrible mistake. Before having the opportunity to speak with the D.A. she was detained by two Sherriff Department Officers and taken to the Sumter County Jail. She was then arrested, fingerprinted, photographed, and thrown into a dirty cramped and scary jail cell, where she then spent hours waiting for bail. All the while, worrying about her children, as her youngest was still breastfeeding.
Officers have a responsibility to exercise their power and duties with the utmost care. That wasn’t done in this case. If Officer Pritchard had acknowledged the law, he wouldn’t have pursued a warrant. Georgia Law O.C.G.A. 16-8-1 (definitions) the term “property of another” includes property in which any person other than the accused has an interest but does not include property belonging to the spouse of an accused or to them jointly.
If he had not omitted the facts and submitted an honest affidavit, no judge would have entered a warrant. Jana endured the horror of a baseless arrest, spent hours in a jail cell, and had her picture printed in the media. “My rights were read to me in the holding cell by Officer Bradley Pritchard and I was interrogated without an attorney present and treated like a criminal and threatened with other charges,” states Jana. “But the worst was knowing that my children, including my breastfeeding baby.. Were out there, and that I was trapped in there with no way to protect them. The detention and events leading up to it were devastating and antagonizing.”
“ I was released hours later on an OR Bond. I stood outside of the Jail with no phone and no car. I didn’t know if anyone even knew if I was out. A lady that I’ve never met heard about it and come to pick me up. The bogus charges were Nol Prossed a few days later and the record was restricted. There was never any basis for any criminal charge or arrest. My name and charge were released and publicized on radio and my picture was printed in the newspaper that I previously wrote articles for exposing corruption in our area. It was embarrassing. I’ve never stolen anything in my life. I’ve worked hard for what I do have and still struggle with the fact that the laws meant to protect us can be ignored like that” states Jana Underwood.
“If this protection didn’t exist then women and men alike could be arrested for stealing their car for being at the grocery store for too long.” Jana further stated. Audio, Police Reports, and Court Documents will be made public on her site for inspection at grassrootsguardiansoftruth.weebly.com and on Facebook.