Nathan Owens
Staff Writer
EL DORADO — Tears streamed down Tanya G. Earnest’s face Monday. She stood with her family before 35th Judicial District Judge George Van Hook, Jr. anticipating an expensive bond, when he offered another option – help.
“I’d rather have her go to treatment involuntarily,” said Van Hook.
Earnest, 49, of 101 Front St., was charged with possession of controlled substances, after reportedly carrying methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to a report from the El Dorado Police Department.
According to police, they found Earnest in a white Toyota Camry, that had been swerving across the center line several times. When police approached the vehicle, one of the officers noticed Earnest, rear passenger-side, trying to hide a purse with her legs, police said.
Inside the purse was a small blue-green wallet containing syringes, small baggies and nearly 6.4 grams of methamphetamine, according to an EPD report.
With bright eyes, she looked for guidance in court. When Van Hook asked her if she wanted to wave her rights to her family and attorney, initially she didn’t know how to respond.
“Yes?,” she said.
From the back, her family interjected.
“I don’t think she understands the question.”
Tears streamed down Earnest's face, as Van Hook called the three women to the front.
“Are you going to try and get her some help?” Van Hook said.
They’ve been trying, one of the family members said. Another member gave Earnest a kiss.
Vanhook handed one of the women a card with a local drug treatment center’s information. She is being held in the Union County Jail in lieu of a $15,000 cash or corporate surety bond. However, Van Hook said if the family could get Earnest into the right treatment facility, he would see about diminishing the bond.
Van Hook heard two other felony cases yesterday.
Jairo F. Mondragon, 35, 1217 N. Highland Ave., was charged with aggravated assault on a family member, false imprisonment of the first degree, and violation of a protection order, according to an EPD report.
According to police, Mondragon snuck into his ex-girlfriend’s house on October 29, trapped her inside, and placed a revolver to his head saying to her, “One of us is going to die tonight.” For approximately 45 minutes he kept her trapped inside, until her friend looked inside and tapped on the window, at which point he escaped, police said.
He is being held in the Union County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash or corporate surety bond.
Tequilla T. Rogers, 22, of East Elm Street, was charged with forgery, after reportedly stealing a man’s personal information, according to an EPD report.
According to the police, the victim said his birth certificate, car title, social security, tax documents, credit cards, and more were missing from the vehicle on October 21. The same day, Rogers was being held in Union County with a cash only bond of $100,000. Yesterday, she was being held in the Union County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash or corporate surety bond.
Rogers has charges still pending.