NAME:
Merrell, Noah Paul
DATE:
09/21/2025
CHARGES:
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on September 18, 2025]
On 09/18/2025 at approximately 23:20 hours, I (Cpl. Sawyer) along with Sgt. Humphries responded to [100 BLOCK] Fleetwood Drive in reference to animal cruelty. We responded in marked patrol units without lights or sirens activated, prior to my arrival, I activated my agency issued body camera.
While en-route dispatch advised me that the male (suspect) would be standing in the driveway and the caller wife was having seizures. While we were approaching, I noticed a ambulance was sitting at the beginning of Fleetwood Drive. Once I seen the scene was safe, I had the med-unit come to the scene.
On arrival I made contact with Noah Merrell and asked him what was going on and he stated he was having mental issues and needed to go to the hospital. I asked him about hurting a kitten and he stated that “he punched and picked up a rock and continued hitting it until it quit breathing”. I asked Noah what did he do with the kitten after he hurt it, he stated “he put it up on the bank”. While Sgt Humphries stood by with Noah, I walked up the bank and found the remains of what appeared to be a small kitten decomposing. I asked Noah if he enjoyed hurting cats and he said when he first start and then the feeling goes away.
Sgt Humphries photographed the remains and fowarded the photo’s to and [REDACTED]
I then made contact with [WITNESS #1] (Noah’s) stepfather and asked him about the incident. [WITNESS #1] said Noah came to him and told him that he knew what happened to the missing kitten. [WITNESS #1] stated “Noah told him he punched the kitten and kicked it”.
After [WITNESS #1]’s wife was transported to the Piedmont Ellijay, Battalion Chief [REDACTED] requested for another med-unit to transport Noah to Piedmont Ellijay due to his mental issues.
I will be charging Noah for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on September 18, 2025]
On Thursday (09-18-2025) at approximately 2220 hours I responded with Corporal Sawyer #546 to [100 BLOCK] Fleetwood Drive in reference to an animal cruelty call. Upon arrival I along with Corporal Sawyer met with a young white male by the name of Noah Merrell.
Mr. Merrell stated he had recently been released from jail for a charge of Aggravated Cruelty to animals and had returned home. Mr. Merrell stated he had attemted to kill one cat that got away and ran off. Mr Merrell stated approximately one week ago he killed a small kitten by continuing to strike it in the head area with a large rock until the kitten was barely breathing.
Mr. Merrell stated he then tossed the small kitten up behind a large tree into a wooded area. Corporal Sawyer checked the area and did locate a decaying carcase which appeared to be a small kitten. I took photographs and forwarded the photos to [REDACTED].
Mr. Merrell stated it was kinda fun killing the cats for a little while and then the feeling wore off. Mr. Merrell was transported to Piedmont Ellijay Emergency Room to be evaluated at his request.
Corporal Sawyer will be obtainng warrants at a later date aginst Mr. Merrell for Aggravated Cruelty To Animals.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on September 21, 2025]
On September 21, 2025 I, Cpl. J.Carver #529, was advised by dispatch to place a phone call to Piedmont Ellijay in reference to a male (Noah Merrell) being release that has active warrants for cruelty to animals. I placed them a call and they advised that Mr. Merrell was indeed being released. Myself and Dfc. Weaver #528 went enroute to the ER.
Dfc. Weaver and I made contact with Mr. Merrell in the ER still laying in the hospital bed. I identified myself and advised him that he was under arrest. I allowed Mr. Merrell to get dressed and then placed him in handcuffs, checked them for proper fit, and then double locked them. I placed MR. Merrell in patrol unit 424 and transported him to the Gilmer County Adult Detention Center where he was turned over to Sgt. Voight.
[End of Narrative]
