Local NAACP speaks out against Georgia State Patrol trooper who arrested two senior citizens

WARNER ROBINS — The Houston County NAACP and two senior citizens are speaking out after both were arrested following traffic stops in Fort Valley last year. They say the same trooper made the arrests and both felt violated of their rights.

The organization said Samuel McCrary was stopped by the Georgia State Patrol for a tinted license plate cover in October 2024. He said the same trooper, Andrew Thompson, pulled him over for the same issue months before.

McCrary offered to remove the cover. Outside the vehicle, Thompson noticed he was limping and asked if he had been drinking. He was given a breathalyzer, pen follow and balance test, which were difficult to perform due to his age.

When asked about medications, McCrary said he took medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prescribed hydrocodone. He said he was under arrest for the hydrocodone and Thompson threatened to tase him.

The 84-year-old McCrary was handcuffed, taken to an area hospital for testing, then taken to jail. He said test results found no signs of intoxication and his charges were dismissed last week.

Houston County NAACP President Jonathan Johnson said despite McCrary’s cooperation, he was still treated like a criminal.

“As soon as the lights came on, he immediately pulled over, immediately surrendered to the officer and was willing to give him whatever he needed and the officer had him locked up,” Johnson said.

McCrary said his arrest was embarrassing and distressing.

“It got to where I couldn’t sleep at night, I couldn’t sleep since this happened,” McCrary said. “It’s still in my mind, what are they going to try to do to me?”

James Mathis, a retired military and postal worker, said he had a similar encounter with Thompson in August of last year. While taking his neighbor to a fish market, Mathis was pulled over for failing to make a complete stop at a stop sign.

“I said, ‘ Yes, I did, I made a complete stop, I’m almost 100% sure I made a complete stop,’ and he was just escalating the situation, making it hostile,” Mathis said.

Mathis said he was also accused of drinking and given a pen follow test. His neighbor was drinking a tea, and he had an unopened bottle of water. 

Mathis was also arrested, but unlike McCrary, did not have the chance to be tested at the hospital. He was 61 years old at the time of the arrest. Mathis later told The Journal he was charged with failing to stop at a stop sign and obstruction.

“I’ve never been locked up, never been in trouble with the law, until that night. This officer treated me so nasty, like I was a runaway slave that robbed a bank and trying to get away,” Mathis said.

Mathis said he called the Perry office. While talking to GSP about the incident, he was advised to cooperate fully. He said his case is still pending.

“[His supervisor] told me, ‘You should have did what they said, because when you play stupid games, you get stupid prizes.’ How can you talk to somebody like that?” Mathis said. 

Mathis and McCrary believed the traffic stops were racially motivated and called for disciplinary action against Thompson, who they said is white.

“Everybody should be treated like a human being, “ Mathis said. “He treated me like I was just dirt.”

GSP sent a statement regarding the allegations:

“When a matter regarding one of our Troopers is brought to our attention, we take it seriously. We are aware of the allegations brought forward and are looking into them,” they said.