A Texarkana man was arrested recently by Miller County deputies checking on his welfare.
Christopher Antonio Crenshaw, 32, was behind the wheel of a green Dodge pickup truck parked along the side of Interstate Highway 49 near the one mile marker when Miller County, Ark., Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeremy McClure stopped to check on him at 12:52 a.m., Sept. 19.
According to a probable cause affidavit, McClure got no response when he asked the driver, who appeared to be sleeping, several times if he was alright. When McClure got closer to the truck, he could see that the driver, later identified as Crenshaw, was awake and looking right at him. Crenshaw’s hand was allegedly on top of a black handgun on the truck’s console.
Crenshaw complied with orders to exit the truck. During a pat down, McClure discovered two bags of suspected methamphetamine and a loaded clip for a 380 pistol. Inside drink holders in the truck, deputies reported finding a bag containing pills later identified as the prescription tranquilizer Xanax.
The gun found in Crenshaw’s possession was allegedly reported stolen by a Nash, Texas, resident.
Crenshaw is facing charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms in Miller County. If convicted, Crenshaw faces ten to 40 years or life in prison. Crenshaw is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of that offense, he faces five to 20 years. Possession of methamphetamine between two and ten grams is punishable by three to ten years.
Prosecutors are seeking to enhance the punishment ranges Crenshaw is facing because he is considered a habitual offender with four or more prior felony convictions.
Crenshaw is currently in the Miller County jail. Bail is set at $25,000.
