Hearing takes a twist
Man facing drug charges said to have brought meth, handcuff key to court
New criminal charges are likely coming for a man who brought a meth pipe, drugs and a handcuff key with him to a pretrial hearing Thursday morning in a Bowie County, Texas, courtroom.
Billy Hamilton, 37, appeared before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, under 1 gram, with Shoaib Daredia of the Bowie County Public Defenders Office. Tidwell told Hamilton he had been warned about using drugs while free on bond and ordered he serve 72 hours in jail for recently submitting a urine specimen that tested positive for meth and marijuana.
Moments after escorting Hamilton to a secure area
behind a first-floor courtroom in the Bi-State Justice Building, the bailiff asked Tidwell if he wanted to visit further with Hamilton in light of items reportedly discovered in his pocket. The bailiff brought Hamilton back in court and laid out the contents on the bench in front of Tidwell.
“We have meth with us, marijuana and a pipe to court,” Tidwell said. “Take him on back and make sure all the appropriate charges are filed.”
Hamilton also had a Smith & Wesson handcuff key in his pocket, according to statements made in court. Instead of imposing a 72-hour jail sanction for submitting a positive urine specimen, Tidwell revoked Hamilton’s bond and scheduled him to return to court Nov. 6 for his next pretrial hearing. Until then, Hamilton will remain in custody.
Hamilton was arrested March 1 following a traffic stop at 12th and Hazel streets in Texarkana, Texas, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Members of the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department requested assistance from Texarkana, Texas, police after allegedly seeing Hamilton drive away from a “well-known drug house” and violate traffic laws.
Officers allegedly found a black eyeglass case containing a small amount of methamphetamine, a glass pipe used to smoke meth and a small amount of marijuana, after Hamilton gave them permission to search the pickup he was driving. Hamilton allegedly claimed the truck and the drugs were not his.
Possession of meth under 1 gram is a state jail felony punishable by six months to two years in a state jail.