MITCHELL, S.D. – A Mitchell man was arrested after accidentally texting police about smoking marijuana, according to court documents.
Timothy Bingham, 54, was taken into custody last month and charged with possession of marijuana after he allegedly sent two texts to a Mitchell Police Division cellphone that referenced a drug test and smoking marijuana
In one text message, sent on Dec. 18, Bingham believed he was texting a friend and said he needed to provide a urine sample to law enforcement. He was out on bond from a previous drug arrest. Another talked about smoking marijuana.
A Mitchell police officer approached Bingham the next day to reveal his error, and Bingham said "he thought he would be doing both he and myself (the officer) a favor by smoking the last of his marijuana," according to court documents.
The officer then called Bingham's cellphone using the device that received the messages. Bingham's caller ID identified the number as belonging to another of Bingham's contacts.
The officer searched Bingham's residence and allegedly found a crushed pop can containing burnt marijuana residue. Bingham allegedly admitted to using the can to smoke.
Bingham was charged with misdemeanor possession of 2 ounces of marijuana or less and possession of drug paraphernalia..
Bingham was out of jail on bond from a Dec. 6 drug arrest, in which police allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, marijuana seeds and screens -- used in marijuana pipes -- in an e-cigarette container in Bingham's sock. Police also found a marijuana pipe with residue in his vehicle and a water bong with residue in his motel room, court documents state.
For the Dec. 6 arrest, Bingham is charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
