Spring Break
Fake ID possession lands two with felonies
BRITTANY COFER
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
Two University students were arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of a fake ID early Wednesday morning.
According to the police report:
A University police officer saw Barbara Ellen Griffin, a freshman from Florence, S.C., and Lisa Gwyn Howard, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn., walking near Hull Street at 2:28 a.m. When one suddenly sat down on the ground, the officer became concerned and approached them to make sure medical assistance was not needed.
As Griffin and Howard continued across Baxter Street to the sidewalk beside Mell Hall, the officer wrote their stumbling became more pronounced. The officer asked the women if they were OK. They told him they were fine and were coming from a fraternity house on Lumpkin Street.
The officer smelled alcohol on their breath and asked for identification. When the officer confirmed both were under 21, they were charged with underage possession of alcohol.
During a search of Howard and Griffin's possessions, a total of four fraudulent IDs were found, two in each of the woman's possession.
"Typically there are two ways [fraudulent identification] can be charged," University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said in a phone interview Wednesday. "If someone has what's called a forged document, or if they have multiple counts [of fraudulent identification]," they face felony charges.
Because Griffin and Howard had two fake IDs each, they were charged with felony possession of fraudulent identification.
Attempts to reach Griffin and Howard for comment Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.
According to the police report:
A University police officer saw Barbara Ellen Griffin, a freshman from Florence, S.C., and Lisa Gwyn Howard, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn., walking near Hull Street at 2:28 a.m. When one suddenly sat down on the ground, the officer became concerned and approached them to make sure medical assistance was not needed.
As Griffin and Howard continued across Baxter Street to the sidewalk beside Mell Hall, the officer wrote their stumbling became more pronounced. The officer asked the women if they were OK. They told him they were fine and were coming from a fraternity house on Lumpkin Street.
The officer smelled alcohol on their breath and asked for identification. When the officer confirmed both were under 21, they were charged with underage possession of alcohol.
During a search of Howard and Griffin's possessions, a total of four fraudulent IDs were found, two in each of the woman's possession.
"Typically there are two ways [fraudulent identification] can be charged," University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said in a phone interview Wednesday. "If someone has what's called a forged document, or if they have multiple counts [of fraudulent identification]," they face felony charges.
Because Griffin and Howard had two fake IDs each, they were charged with felony possession of fraudulent identification.
Attempts to reach Griffin and Howard for comment Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 13
R-U-KIDDING
posted 11/06/08 @ 9:44 AM EST
Are you kidding me? A FELONY that will be on their records the rest of their life because they had TWO fake ID's instead of just one? That is just wrong. (Continued…)
Nope
posted 11/06/08 @ 10:15 AM EST
If you dont want a Felony, Dont break the law. Having a fake ID is against the law. College kids these days think just because they are in college the have the right to Drink. (Continued…)
Winslo
posted 11/06/08 @ 10:25 AM EST
I WARNED you guys about this several weeks ago. It's also a FEDERAL offense.
Now, maybe they can get a little break here if they are willing to hand up who they bought them from but their attorneys will probably screw that up by opting to beat the charges based on lack of probable cause, etc. (Continued…)
Dub
posted 11/06/08 @ 10:28 AM EST
Good job UGAPD. I can now sleep soundly at night, knowing that these dangerous "felons" are off the streets. Never mind that there is what appears to be a wave of thefts sweeping through Athens right now, an actual crime with actual victims, it is imperative that you charge these young women with felonies for all of the lives they have ruined through their actions. (Continued…)
alvin
posted 11/06/08 @ 10:59 AM EST
I love how the red and black reports on crap like this but ignores the fact that police arrested three people on campus for breaking into cars:
http://www. (Continued…)
Shanaynay
posted 11/06/08 @ 11:17 AM EST
Campus police are solving a lot of the thefts with their detectives, this case was a patrol officer just making sure 2 females got home safe. HOWEVER, patrol officers are required by policy to arrest for underage. (Continued…)
johnny
posted 11/06/08 @ 12:07 PM EST
Since when did sitting down question the need for medical attention????
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