Man charged with drug crimes, child endangerment

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A Texarkana man is facing drug and child endangerment charges stemming from a traffic stop in Miller County.

Todd Aaron Tietge, 48, was allegedly a passenger Jan. 12 in a grey 2012 Chevrolet Malibu as it drove along the 6300 block of East Street in Texarkana, Ark., according to a probable cause affidavit. Miller County sheriff’s deputies pulled the car over because of expired tags.

As a deputy spoke with the car’s driver, Tietge allegedly “appeared very nervous and asked several times if he could exit the vehicle.” After asking the driver to step out of the car, Tietge allegedly reached toward the passenger floorboard as if he was attempting to hide something.

Under the passenger side floor mat, deputies discovered two small plastic bags containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A used insulin syringe with residue and a 6.3 mm socket with what appeared to be narcotic residue in the socket hole were found also.

Both the driver and Tietge denied knowing about the drugs and paraphernalia. Tietge allegedly claimed the drugs must be the driver’s and the driver told deputies Tietge asked him if he had any drugs on him when he noticed the patrol car behind them.

“Due to Tietge’s actions when asked to exit the vehicle, his nervous behavior during the contact, and the items being located beneath his feet, h was taken into custody for felony drug possession and felony drug paraphernalia,” the affidavit states.

Tietge’s 5-year-old daughter, who was riding in the back seat, was released to a grandmother.

“Exposing his daughter to these dangerous narcotics recklessly placed her at risk for physical and mental injury thus Tietge was also charged with endangering the welfare of a minor-3rd,” the affidavit states.

Collected as evidence was approximately .9 grams of methamphetamine, the used syringe and the socket. Also confiscated were two black and silver pocket knives which were hidden under the same floor mat as the drugs and paraphernalia.

Tietge made an initial court appearance Jan. 13. He posted a $20,000 bail bond Jan. 15 and must return to court Feb. 14.

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