BEDFORD – A Bedford woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly being caught inhaling air duster in the bathroom of the Goodwill store on James Avenue.
Whitney Carson, 33, who was reportedly serving court-mandated community service at the location, faces charges of public intoxication and inhaling toxic vapors.
On Tuesday, April 15, at approximately 3:03 p.m., Bedford Police Officers Bryce Bower and Landon Jones were dispatched to Goodwill following a report from the store manager who stated she witnessed Carson “huffing” air duster in the store’s restroom.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the manager, who provided an audio and video-recorded statement. Eads reportedly told officers that she saw Carson, who was completing community service for a theft that occurred at a Target, inhaling air duster in the Goodwill bathroom.
Officers then met with Carson in the store’s office. Officer Bower stated in the Probable Cause Affidavit that he read Carson her Miranda Rights, which she acknowledged understanding. When questioned her about the incident, Carson allegedly admitted to going into the bathroom and “hitting” air duster. She also reportedly stated that she inhales air dusters on a weekly basis.
Officer Bower noted in the affidavit that he and Officer Jones had a previous encounter with Carson on Tuesday, April 8, at Jay C Plus, where she was allegedly found passed out in front of the store with two cans of air duster and was covered in vomit. When this incident was brought up, Carson reportedly acknowledged struggling with addiction and sought treatment in the past but admitted to ongoing issues.
Officers observed a can of air duster on a nearby desk, which Carson allegedly confirmed was the only can she possessed. When asked where she obtained it, Carson reportedly stated she bought it a couple of days prior from Lowe’s. The manager corroborated this, stating she saw Carson walk towards Lowe’s during her break earlier that day. When questioned about her break, Carson allegedly admitted to going to Lowe’s and purchasing the air duster before returning to Goodwill and using it in the bathroom.
Officer Jones also spoke with the manager and other employees. One employee reported seeing Carsoon in the bathroom with the door ajar, sitting on the toilet with her pants up and her head hanging back, and the air duster can in her hand. She appeared unconscious, so the employee informed the manager. The manager knocked on the door to speak to Carson. The manager noted that Carson eventually began to ‘act normally’
Following these interviews, Officers Jones and Bower informed Carson that she was under arrest. Officer Bower placed Carson in handcuffs, and she was transported to the Bedford Police Department for processing and subsequently to the Lawrence County Jail for housing. The can of air duster was collected, photographed, and later destroyed at the police station.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
