Beverage Break Leads to Drug Bust

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – A stop for a late night beverage by officers with the Crockett Police Department led to the arrest of a Houston woman for drug possession.

An 18-year-old female, identified as Houston resident Cloie O’Quinn Jones, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance – penalty group one – in an amount greater than one gram but less than four grams after officers with the Crockett Police Department stopped for a beverage.

“At approximately 2:54 a.m. (on Jan. 10), Officer Matthew Van Egmond and I got out at 1409 E. Loop 304, The Express Truck Stop, for a refreshing beverage,” according to an arrest report filed by Lt. Lonnie Lum.

After the officers exited the vehicle, the report indicated they heard arguing from the front of the store. The law enforcement officials went to investigate and observed a male subject standing behind a white Ford Mustang while yelling at a woman in front of the store.

The report indicated Lum made contact with the male and asked him what caused the argument, however, the male continued to yell at the female near the storefront.

“I told him to stop and tell me what the argument was about. The subject was still agitated and not providing much information,” the report stated. “I then observed a knife attached to the subject’s pocket and asked if he would put it away while we walked. The subject then took out several knives and reached into the Mustang and put them into the center console.”

As the male subject was attempting to place the knives in the console, Lum stated in the report, he “… observed the subject covertly try and hand two subjects in the back seat a clear baggie. Through my training and experiences, I knew this was illegal contraband.”

The male subject was detained and Lum made contact with the two passengers in the back seat, the arrest report indicated. While he was conversing with the two individuals in the back seat, Lum’s report indicated he observed “… a small clear baggie containing marijuana on the seat between them. Both subjects in the backseat were then removed from the vehicle and detained as well.”

The vehicle was searched and a black and silver case containing drug paraphernalia was discovered, according to the arrest report.

All the subjects were read their Miranda rights and questioned about the case and who owned it. The report stated one of the passengers in the backseat, Identified as Cloie Jones, admitted to ownership and described what was in the case.

“I then found another small black container inside of the aluminum case. I asked Cloie what was in the case and she advised more small bags. I opened up the black case and found small, clear bags with a crystal like substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine. Cloie claimed ownership of the case and drugs,” Lum’s report stated.

Jones further admitted to having additional drug paraphernalia in her boot, which included a glass meth pipe. The report stated Jones claimed ownership of all the drugs and paraphernalia.

As a result Jones was placed under arrest, transported to the Houston County Jail and booked into custody on one count of possession of a controlled substance – penalty group one –  in an amount greater than one gram, but less than four grams.

The possession charge is considered a third degree felony. Under 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.”

Jones’ bond was set at $10,000.

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

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