RESACA, GA - The woman who attempted to ram her vehicle into the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office this morning has been identified as 24-year-old Johana Cortes.

Cortes was involved in a number of accidents around Calhoun GA prior to the incident at the Sheriff’s Office which occurred at 10:20am.  She was driving a 2005, blue Toyota Corolla when she attempted to ram one of the entrances to the Sheriff’s Office. Instead, her vehicle hit the law enforcement memorial in front of that entrance. 

Statements made by Cortes soon after the incident led authorities to believe that there may be an explosive device in her vehicle. The GBI Bomb Squad found no device.

The GBI is in the process of obtaining arrest warrants charging Cortes with Terroristic Threats and Acts, Interference with Government Property, and Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree.

Cortes, a naturalized citizen from California who was originally from Guatemala, is currently in a Gordon County hospital under guard.  Her local residence has not been determined as yet. 

The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol, the FBI and the GBI are involved in this investigation, which continues.

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Contact Information:

John Bankhead - 404-270-8330