When It’s Just Not Your Day…
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – A Crockett man was arrested and charged with a third degree felony after he failed to comply with instructions from a police officer in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 20.
Michael Anthony Buckingham, a 20-year-old, Crockett resident was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance – penalty group two – in an amount greater than or equal to one gram, as well as possession of marijuana, after he approached officers investigating an unrelated crime.
The details of the arrest were provided in a warrantless probable cause statement.
According to the statement, Crockett Police Department officers were dispatched to East Runnels Avenue at approximately 2:45 a.m. on May 20 in reference to an alleged shooting incident where someone had shot at or towards a residence.
“The witnesses on scene described the suspect vehicle as a blue BMW and described that one of the actors lived on Woodland Circle,” the probable cause statement reported.
While he was attempting to locate the suspected vehicle, the statement indicated CPD Sgt. Alfredo Fajardo observed a BMW matching the description of the car and initiated a stop.
“The driver and only occupant of the car, Latanya Harris, was immediately detained,” according to the statement.
The statement further indicated, “While I (Fajardo) was dealing with Harris, Michael Buckingham walked up and started approaching the BMW’s door. I told Buckingham to get back to prevent him from tampering with possible evidence. Buckingham did not comply and continued approaching.”
The report stated Fajardo repeated his command to stay back “… and he stood nearby cursing at me. At this point, I detained him in handcuffs for my safety and to prevent him from interfering further. While doing so, I could smell marijuana on his person. I then pat frisked him for weapons and secured him in my car.”
Cpl. Todd Little arrived at the scene and spoke with both Buckingham and Harris. Becaus
e of the strong scent of marijuana coming off of Buckingham, Little also searched Buckingham.
The probable cause statement reported during the second search, Little discovered “… a clear bag with several small pills (1.32 grams) with various designs, suspected of being MDMA or Ecstasy in Buckingham’s pocket.”
“Both Harris and Buckingham denied being involved in the alleged shooting but both were arrested. Buckingham was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and Harris was arrested for DWI,” the probable cause statement reported.
The statement added while Buckingham was being transported to the Houston County Jail, he admitted that “… he possibly had a marijuana blunt in his possession. At the jail, Buckingham was searched again and a suspected marijuana cigar was found in his back pocket.”
Harris was booked into custody on a DWI charge, 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.”
Buckingham was charged with possession of a controlled substance – penalty group two – in an amount greater than or equal to one gram, a third degree felony, along with one count of possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
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.”
Buckingham is held at the Houston County Jail on a total bond of $6,500 while Harris posted a bond of $1,500 and was released.
Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
