A Trion resident was arrested and charged with Pedestrian Under the Influence (PUI) after local deputies responded to a verbal altercation at a residence on Mildred Street.

Mario Quinell Jones, 55, was taken into custody on the evening of Tuesday, October 22, 2025, after law enforcement determined he had already violated state statutes by walking on a public roadway while highly intoxicated.

Chattooga County deputies were dispatched to Mildred Street at approximately 8:50 p.m. regarding a verbal argument. Prior to the deputies arrival, Mr. Jones had left the residence on foot.

Deputies, along with Trion Police, located Jones sitting on a log off the side of Mildred Street. Upon approach, officers noted an immediate and strong odor of alcohol emitting from Jones’s person, alongside visible signs of intoxication, including unsteadiness and watery eyes.

Further investigation revealed that the verbal dispute was between Mr. Jones and his sister, who resides at the Mildred Street address. The sister informed officers that Jones had been drinking heavily and, in his agitated state, had accidentally knocked over a vase and broken a bracelet she was wearing. While she showed video corroborating the incident, she declined to press charges for property damage, stating her primary concern was ensuring her brother was safe and returned inside the home due to his level of intoxication.

Officers attempted multiple times to persuade Mr. Jones to re-enter the residence instead of continuing on foot. Jones repeatedly denied these requests, stating his intention was to walk to Summerville, where he had recently been evicted, or that he simply wanted to be taken to jail.

Despite eventually consenting to return to the porch of the residence, Jones continued to state his intention to leave. Because Mr. Jones had already been observed walking while highly intoxicated on the public right-of-way, officers determined the offense of Pedestrian Under the Influence had already been committed.

Mario Jones was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Chattooga County Jail. The arrest and transport were conducted without incident.