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Prosecutor Drops Misdemeanor Charges Against Falcons Rookie Zachariah Branch

A solicitor’s review of video and other evidence led prosecutors to dismiss the obstruction counts against Branch.

Overview

  • Branch was arrested in Athens on April 19 and charged with obstructing a police officer and obstructing a public sidewalk after police said he failed to move from a crowded sidewalk outside the Cloud Bar.
  • After attorneys provided video and related evidence, the Athens-Clarke County solicitor agreed to dismiss all misdemeanor charges following a review of that material, the player’s lawyer said.
  • Attorney Kim Stephens said Branch cooperated with law enforcement, did not commit a crime and that the dismissal restores his reputation and clears him of the incident.
  • The Falcons selected Branch in the third round (79th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft and said the April arrest did not change their evaluation of him.
  • Branch transferred to Georgia for the 2025 season, set the school single-season receptions record with 81 catches and compiled 159 receptions for 1,634 yards over three college seasons, facts that underpin the team’s interest and his standing going forward.