On Friday, The California Post unveiled new police video footage depicting the arrest of Zachariah Branch. The incident occurred as Branch appeared to be standing on a sidewalk amidst a crowd of people.
The wide receiver’s encounter with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department took place shortly after midnight on April 19 in Athens, Georgia. This was mere days before Branch was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The body camera footage, which recently came to light, initially lacks audio for the first 28 seconds. During this silent segment, it seems an officer is trying to disperse a large gathering outside a bustling bar, instructing Branch and others to vacate the area.
After what appears to be a brief exchange with the officer, Branch shifts slightly to his left but remains among several other onlookers who are also stationary.
Without warning, the officer suddenly lunges toward Branch, handcuffs him, and informs fellow officers that she’s arresting the 22-year-old for “blocking the sidewalk.”
As Branch was being escorted to a nearby squad car, he was adamant he “didn’t do anything.”
The cop, however, insisted he committed a crime.
“I told you to move from blocking the sidewalk,” she said. “I gave you a legal order and you did not listen.”
“Ma’am,” Branch replied, “I was trying to walk away. What are we doing?”
The cop then went more in depth about why she arrested Branch with someone who had been with the former UGA receiver earlier in the evening.
“He should have moved the first three times I told him to move,” she said. “He looked at me, he smirked at me, and then he did it again. That’s obstruction.”
“I asked him if he wanted to be the example,” she later added. “And he chose to be the example. He made that decision. You cannot undo it for him. He’s going to jail.”
Branch was ultimately taken to a nearby jail and booked on two charges — one count of obstructing public sidewalks/streets and one count of obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
But on Wednesday, Branch’s lawyer announced prosecutors had dropped the case.
“After reviewing all evidence, including videos, and discussing the case with us, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against Mr. Branch yesterday,” attorney Kim Stephens said in a statement statement to media. “Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest, and never should have been arrested. We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name have been restored.”
Branch, who was picked by the Falcons on April 24 at No. 79 overall, began his collegiate career at USC before transferring to Georgia for the 2025 season.
He went on to have a huge year for the Bulldogs, recording 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 81 catches.
He’s impressed the Falcons so far this offseason, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa telling reporters this week he “kind of reminds me of” Jaylen Waddle.