TEXARKANA, Texas–A Louisiana man who was allegedly seen punching and stomping on a puppy on Christmas day is facing charges of animal cruelty, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon in Bowie County.
Jawanza Jaronne Wilhite, 32, was allegedly seen abusing a white and tan Shih Tzu puppy in a field behind the Wyndham Hotel in the 5300 block of State Line Ave. in Texarkana, Texas, at about 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday.
When officers with the Texarkana Texas Police Dept. arrived, they noted that the puppy Wilhite was carrying was bleeding from its mouth, had a cut above its right eye and a cut on its tail. Wilhite allegedly told officers that he and his girlfriend had gotten into a fight and blamed her for injuring the small canine, the affidavit said.
A witness who had called 911 to report the alleged abuse reportedly identified Wilhite as the person she observed mistreating the animal. After placing him under arrest, officers searched two backpacks Wilhite had been carrying.
They allegedly discovered 17 hydrocodone pills in a medicine bottle with a scratched-off label. Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid that can only be possessed with a doctor’s authorization.
The officers reportedly found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol in one of the backpacks. Officers determined that Wilhite has a prior felony conviction for burglary out of Louisiana, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Officers also noted that the puppy behaved as if her right leg was in pain when they attempted to pick her up. The dog was turned over to an animal control officer.
Wilhite is currently being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $50,000.
Wilhite is currently charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, records show. If convicted he faces up to a year in the county jail on each charge. If found guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, Wilhite faces two to ten years in prison.
The case has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.