Early Morning Bike Ride Results in Felony Charges

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – A Crockett man faces felony charges after he was seen riding a bicycle in violation of the Texas Transportation Code early Wednesday morning, June 6.

Angel Daniel Reyes, 55, was arrested by Crockett Police Officers and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence after he was seen operating the bike without the proper safety precautions.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, CPD Officer Jeffery Dean was responding to another call when he saw Reyes riding the bicycle on 10^th St. in the early morning hours of June 6.

In the report, Dean stated he stopped the bicyclist at approximately 2:46 a.m. and “… recognized Reyes from previous encounters during my law enforcement employment with the Crockett Police Department.”

Dean further indicated he knew Reyes had a history of drug use and when he stopped him “… he appeared to be nervous. Reyes’ speech and body language appeared to be shaky. For my safety and his, I instructed Reyes to step off his bicycle and I advised I was going to pat search him.”

As the police officer was searching Reyes, according to the affidavit, Reyes pulled a small towel from his front pocket and stepped on it.

A crunch was heard by Dean and the officer soon discovered the towel contained a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. As the search continued, Dean located “… two portions of partially smoked marijuana cigarettes.”

The search also produced several prepaid credit cards and a Texas Driver’s License, none of which belonged to Reyes, the affidavit indicated.

Reyes was arrested and transported to the Houston County Jail where custody was transferred to the jail staff. When Dean returned to his vehicle, he searched the back seat of his patrol unit – per CPD policy – and discovered a bag containing a white, powder-like substance believed to be meth.

Reyes was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence. The controlled substance possession offense and the tampering with evidence offense are both considered as third degree felonies while the drug paraphernalia charge is considered a Class C 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.”

Reyes was still held at the Houston County Jail as of press time.

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