Crockett Man Arrested for Intoxicated Driving and Possession of Illicit Drugs
By Cody Thompson
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department arrested a Crockett man after officers observed his vehicle speeding and swerving on Sunday, May 14.
Jonathan Whitfield Monzingo, 38, was charged with possession of a controlled substance penalty group three, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (less than one gram), possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (greater than one gram but less than four grams) and possession of a dangerous drug.
CPD Corporal Todd Little and officer John Ortiz were patrolling as a two-man unit when they noticed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving at approximately 12:10 a.m. on Southeast Loop 304.
“The vehicle was accelerating at a high rate of speed and swerved onto the improved shoulder as it turned onto the loop,” an affidavit of probable cause said. “The vehicle then continued to drive north.”
The vehicle then entered a 50 mph speed zone, accelerated to 58 mph and swerved onto the shoulder of the road before returning to its lane, the affidavit said.
“I (Little) then activated my emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle for speeding and reasonable suspicion that the driver was intoxicated,” the probable cause document said.
The vehicle pulled into the driveway of Crockett First Assembly of God Church and Little and Ortiz made contact with the driver, identified as Monzingo, as well as front-seat passenger, the report said.
“While speaking with Monzingo, I (Little) could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle,” the report said. “Monzingo then stated that he was just trying to get home.”
Little then asked Monzingo if there were any open alcoholic containers in the vehicle and Monzingo replied that there were none. Little then asked Monzingo to step out of the vehicle, the affidavit said.
“Monzingo exited the car and slowly walked to the back of it,” according to the affidavit. “I (Little) then asked him why he swerved and he stated that he was looking at his phone.”
Little then asked Monzingo if he had been drinking and Monzingo replied that he had, the affidavit said.
Little conducted a field sobriety test on Monzingo, according to the report.
“Based on the results of the test and the other indicators of intoxication, I (Little) determined that Monzingo was intoxicated and well above the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle,” the affidavit said.
Little then had Monzingo blow into a preliminary breath tester and the machine indicated that his blood alcohol content was .202, according to the probable cause document. The legal BAC for driving in Texas is .08.
Monzingo was then placed under arrest and placed into the backseat of the patrol unit, the affidavit said.
Little then began questioning the passenger regarding the events of the evening.
“(The passenger) said that he and Monzingo had been eating Mexican food and Monzingo had a large margarita with his meal,” the affidavit said. “(The passenger) said that later (Monzingo) had a Red’s Apple Ale beer.”
Little then acquired consent to search the vehicle, the report said.
CPD Sergeant Alfredo Fajardo, who had arrived on the scene to assist, located a small green metal tin and a marijuana pipe in the center console of the vehicle, according to the probable cause document.
“I (Little) asked Monzingo about the pipe and he admitted that it was his,” the report said.
Monzingo was transported to Timberland Medical Center in Crockett to have a blood sample drawn, the report said.
“After the blood draw, (the nurse) made a statement to me (Little) that she observed meth sores on Monzingo,” the affidavit said.
Little conducted a second search of the vehicle and discovered several illicit substances in the backseat, the report said.
“I (Little) located two small clear bags that contained meth and three different pills,” according to the affidavit. “Two pills had 3604 V on them, identified as acetaminophen/hydrocodone. Two pills had WATSON780 on it, identified as Sucralfate (Carafate)(R) obtainable by prescription only. The other two were green with a ‘Decepticon’ symbol stamped onto them, believed to be ecstasy.”
The possession of a controlled substance penalty group three (for the meth) and possession of a dangerous drug (for the sucralfate) charges are both considered class A misdemeanors.
According to Section 12.21 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a class A misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $4,000; confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year; or both such fine and confinement.”
The driving while intoxicated charge is considered a class B misdemeanor.
According to Section 12.22 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a class B misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000; confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or both such fine and confinement.”
The possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (for the ecstasy) charge is considered a state jail felony.
According to Section 12.35 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony shall be punihed by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days. In addition to confinement, an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”
The possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (for the acetaminophen/hydrocodone) is considered a third degree felony.
According to Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division 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.”
Monzingo’s bond was set at $2,500 for driving while intoxicated, $4,000 for possession of a controlled substance penalty group three, $4,000 for possession of a dangerous drug, $5,000 for possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (less than one gram) and $10,000 for possession of a controlled substance penalty group one (greater than one gram but less than four grams).
Monzingo is currently still incarcerated in the Houston County Jail.
Cody Thompson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
