Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Charges

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – An early Sunday morning traffic stop in Crockett led to the arrest of a Crockett female on three drug possession charges, as well as one charge of narcotics paraphernalia possession.

Christina Marie Saavedra, a 36-year-old female with a Crockett address, was arrested and charged with a third degree felony, a state jail felony, a Class B misdemeanor and a Class C misdemeanor after she was stopped for a minor traffic violation at 12:15 a.m. on Nov. 20.

According to an arrest report filed by Crockett Police Officer Andrew Allen, while on patrol Sunday morning, he observed a vehicle with one headlight out at the intersection of Hwy. 19 and Loop 304 in Crockett and initiated a traffic stop.

The report stated when Officer Allen approached the vehicle driven by Saavedra, she appeared “… visibly nervous of my presence. She was shaking while handing me her license and while looking for her proof of liability insurance.”

Because of Saavedra’s nervousness, the report stated Officer Allen requested to search the vehicle and was granted permission to do so.

“Upon searching the vehicle, I found a small white oval shaped pill in the glove compartment box that was determined to be Paroxetine Hydrochloride (Paxil), which is a prescription only pill. Upon asking her about the pill, she stated that it was not hers but more than likely her mother’s. I then proceeded with a probable cause search of the vehicle and her purse,” the report indicated.

As he searched Saavedra’s purse, Allen discovered a pipe associated with smoking certain types of narcotics, six white pills which were identified as Methadone and a small plastic bag with what the police officer believed to be methamphetamine.

Due to the discovery of the illegal narcotics and paraphernalia, Saavedra was detained and transported to the Houston County Jail where she was booked into custody on: one count of possession of a controlled substance not in a penalty group (Class B misdemeanor); one count of possession of a controlled substance, penalty group one, less than one gram (state jail felony); one count of possession of a controlled substance, penalty group one, greater than or equal to one gram but less than four grams; and possession of narcotics paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor).

According to Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for any term of not more than 10 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

A state jail felony is punishable by a sentence of between 180 days and two years in a state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine, while a Class B misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in county jail and a $2,000 fine. A Class C misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $500 and no jail time.

Saavedra’s total bond was set $10,852. It was posted and she was released, pending trial.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected]

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