Traffic Stop of Driver Doing 100 MPH on Route 61 Leads to Discovery of Drug, Gun Bounty

A traffic stop on a driver caught doing 100 mph going north on Route 61 earlier this week led to some more surprising discoveries in his vehicle, police say.

According to a criminal complaint filed by State Police-Schuylkill Haven, on Sept. 2 at about 2:15 p.m., a Trooper in an unmarked vehicle stationed at the intersection of Route 61 and Brick Hill Rd. in West Brunswick Twp. got a 2017 Jaguar on his radar gun going 100 mph, in a 55 mph zone, headed north in the passing lane of the highway.

Trooper Nathan Klinger says in his criminal complaint that the 100 mph reading prompted him to leave his stationary position and follow the Jaguar. The Trooper says he got behind the vehicle stopped at a red light at the intersection of the highway and Brick Hill Rd.

When the light turned green, however, the Jaguar remained in place for about 10 seconds and then started northbound. That’s when Klinger says he activated his emergency lights and siren.

The driver, identified as Terrance Giddings, of Mount Carmel, stopped in the passing lane when Klinger activated his lights and siren and “would not get off the shoulder of the traveling lane.” Klinger then motioned for Giddings to move to the right so they both could exit the road safely.

With the vehicle stopped on the side of the road, Klinger says he introduced himself and explained the reason for stopping Giddings. Giddings, he says, had a Delaware driver’s license.

When Giddings opened his center console, Klinger says he spotted a vial that contained a yellow substance. Giddings described the substance as “medicine.”

Giddings then reportedly told Klinger that he was going to Mount Carmel because he was moving there after a divorce. Klinger says he spotted several suitcases in the back seat of the Jaguar. Giddings also told Klinger that he was coming from Philadelphia.

During this line of questioning, Klinger says Giddings was slurring his speech, lacked concentration, and gave blank stares.

Klinger then ran a check on Giddings’ record and found out that he had previous arrests for selling controlled substances and firearms charges. When he returned to Giddings’ vehicle, Klinger asked the driver if he had consumed any drugs before getting behind the wheel. Giddings denied that, according to the criminal complaint.

Klinger once again asked about the vial containing the yellow substance. At first, Giddings told the Trooper it was a prescription medication and that he didn’t have the original bottle. However, later in the conversation, Giddings allegedly told Klinger that it was PCP and that he used it about a week prior to the traffic stop.

The Trooper removed the PCP from the vehicle and asked Giddings to get out. Giddings, now in the front seat of the State Police vehicle, reportedly denied there being anything else inside his Jaguar but refused a request to search the vehicle. That’s when Klinger requested backup at the scene of the traffic stop.

While waiting for backup, Giddings reportedly told Klinger that he was arrested in the past for dealing cocaine and that he smoked weed “maybe” a day prior to the traffic stop and that there was a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle and that he didn’t have a prescription card for it.

A field sobriety test of Giddings was conducted when State Police backup arrived at the scene. The results of that led to Giddings being arrested for DUI. A search incident to arrest resulted in the following discoveries, police say: cash, a cigarette dipped in PCP, keys, and a cellphone.

Giddings’ vehicle was towed to State Police-Schuylkill Haven barracks while the driver was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-East in Pottsville for a blood test. Before the vehicle was towed, Trooper Jordan Jiminez saw a plastic bag containing marijuana on the passenger side floor, the affidavit says.

Later that evening, a search warrant for the vehicle was signed by District Magistrate AJ Serina. That search, police say, revealed the following:

• Two blue plastic vials containing an unknown white substance in the center console. The vials were in a cigarette pack
• A clear plastic bag containing what’s believed to be marijuana
• A black 9mm magazine with 4 Blazer 9mm Luger rounds under the passenger front seat
• A black 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and gold barrel with a black 9mm magazine inserted in it with 2 SIG 9mm Luger rounds in the trunk
• A box of Federal 9mm Luger rounds, containing 21 rounds

Giddings was arraigned Monday night and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison by Serina on $100,000 bail, which hasn’t been posted. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24 before Serina. That’s when Giddings will answer to the following charges: 

• Prohibited possession of a firearm (second-degree felony)
• Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number (second-degree felony)
• Possession of a firearm without a license (third-degree felony)
• 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor)
• Marijuana possession (misdemeanor)
• DUI (misdemeanor)
• Exceeding the speed limit by 45 mph (summary)
• Careless driving (summary)
• Reckless driving (summary)

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!

Support Coal Region Canary

Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...