Man washes down joint with drink

An officer witnessed John Wesley Partin, 45, of 64 Main Street in Auburn, driving down the middle of the road. The officer recognized Partin and knew the man’s license had been suspended and served for child support obligations.

Though the officer quickly activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to conduct a pullover, Partin did not stop until he reached his residence.

When Partin exited the vehicle, he had an unspecified beverage in his hand. The officer immediately noticed an odor of marijuana and asked Partin to put the drink down. As Partin continued to drink the beverage, the officer noticed he was attempting to swallow something.

The officer noted that Partin’s eyes were bloodshot and that he seemed confused. According to the report, Partin’s speech was mumbled and slurred and he appeared to be very lethargic.

The officer informed Partin that his license was suspended and placed him in handcuffs. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer found a baggie tucked inside a pack of cigarettes which contained a substance suspected to be marijuana.

The officer asked Partin when he had last smoked pot. Partin replied that it had been approximately 15 minutes prior to the traffic stop. Partin admitted using the drink to wash down the joint. He also admitted taking two lortabs earlier in the day.

The officer removed the handcuffs from Partin in order to conduct field sobriety tests. After completing the battery of tests, Partin was asked if he would provide a blood sample. Partin refused saying he had already admitted smoking marijuana and taking lortabs. According to the report, Partin said he knew he was high and did not want to give blood.

Partin was transported to the Gwinnett County Detention Center on charges of DUI, driving while license suspended and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. He received warnings for failure to maintain lane, improper turn, no signal and expired tag.

Other recent arrests made by Auburn Police include:

• Joshua Andrew Barrett, 27, 316 Carter Road, Auburn, family violence battery, simple assault, criminal trespass, false imprisonment and public intoxication.

• Justin Alexander Hobbs, 17, 275 Carter Road, Auburn, theft by taking.

• Derek Eugene Johnson, 19, 5727 Kinds Court, Bethlehem, theft by taking and first degree forgery.

• Jessica Marie Corcoran, 30, 78 Mount Moriah Road, Auburn, family violence battery.

• Thomas Patrick Wilfawn, 31, 275 Carter Road, Auburn, theft by taking.