Overview
- Hall County’s chief deputy, Kevin Head, said the sheriff’s office is operating normally and that he is currently in command.
- A deputy reported the sheriff’s county-issued SUV swerving on Green Hill Road on Feb. 27 and called in the Georgia State Patrol, which made contact after the vehicle pulled into a private driveway.
- Troopers documented slurred speech, unsteadiness and a strong odor of alcohol, administered field sobriety tests, and recorded a 0.212% breath-alcohol content; Couch said he had been drinking Four Loko since 6 a.m., and officers found open Bahama Mama drinks in the SUV.
- Couch, 63, was charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and open-container violations, booked at the Hall County Jail, released on bond the same night, and had his county vehicle confiscated.
- The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia received a conflict letter from local officials and is securing an outside prosecutor for the case.