Milton Charles Gainey Jr., 36, who was on probation at the time, was recently arrested by the Douglas Police Department after he led officers on a chase near South Pearl Avenue. During the pursuit, Gainey dropped a backpack that reportedly contained illegal substances, including suspected molly and crack.
A report states that on December 20, an officer was en route to a call when she observed Gainey carrying a black backpack and handing another individual “something” before they parted ways. The officer reported that she was familiar with Gainey and ran his name through the system, which showed he was wanted on a probation warrant.
The officer reported that she turned around and saw Gainey still walking southbound on Madison Avenue. She then informed a second officer about Gainey’s location and advised him to drive towards South Pearl Avenue because he “would more than likely take off running.” As the officer pulled up in front of a residence on South Madison Avenue, she observed Gainey “standing and still carrying the black backpack” near the other individual.
The report states that when the suspect noticed the officer’s patrol vehicle, he parted ways from the other man and started walking at a fast pace toward the back of the residence. The officer then ran to the other side of the fence to bump into Gainey at the back of the home. Gainey then ran toward a fence facing South Pearl Avenue, then came back running toward the officer, dropping the backpack under a shed located behind a home on South Madison Avenue. Gainey continued to flee and jumped a fence, causing the officer to lose sight of him. She then advised other officers where she had last seen Gainey and retrieved the backpack.
According to the report, the officer started driving northbound when she noticed another officer with Gainey on the front steps of a home on South Madison Avenue.
The report states that as the officer was attempting to place Gainey in handcuffs, he told them he had asthma and said he could not breathe.
Therefore, the officers put the handcuffs in the front and told him not to reach for his pockets. After the warrant was confirmed, Gainey was arrested on the warrant and placed in the back of the patrol vehicle. Due to the suspect’s allegation that he was having difficulty breathing, EMS was dispatched to the scene. He was then transported to Coffee Regional Medical Center with two officers escorting him. Gainey received a medical check and was cleared before being taken to the Coffee County Jail.
According to the officer, when she opened the backpack, she discovered a big clear mason jar containing a green leafy substance, along with other substances, including suspected molly, crack, and “other possible substances as well.” Gainey was booked on a probation violation and a 48-hour hold for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Abuse Act. He is currently in the Coffee County Jail.
In 2020, Gainey pleaded guilty to obstruction of a law enforcement officer and giving a false name/identity when questioned by the officer. As a result of the plea, Gainey received a two-year probation sentence.
A copy of the probation warrant reported that Gainey had failed to report to probation and owed over $1,120 in fees.
Gainey was scheduled to complete his probation last month. However, in June, a judge ordered that his sentence be tolled due to his failure to report.