Texas Traffic Stop Leads to 5 Arrests and 3 Kids in CPS Custody

Crime happens everywhere, including here in Texas, but it’s always sad when you hear about kids being wrapped up in their parents' bad decisions. 

According to KLTV, recently in Polk County there was a traffic stop that lead to the arrest of five people and Child Protective Services taking custody of three children. 

How Did the Traffic Stop Begin? 

On Wednesday, February 5th someone with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office performed a routine stop for a traffic violation. That is when the smell of marijuana was detected which led to a search of the vehicle. 

The driver, 36-year-old, Justin Martin of Cleveland, Texas was arrested after he was found to have 11 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. His passenger Holli Pederson 27 of Livingston was also arrested for possession of meth. Both also were found to have marijuana.  

Search Warrant Executed on a Home 

After interviews with police, there was a search warrant executed on a home in Livingston where 60-year-old Kenneth Ray Lockhart and 63-year-old Lou Ann Hudson were both found to be in possession of a “large quanity” of meth.  

The driver Justin Martin was also charged with manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance. 

Two People Seen Leaving the Home With Meth 

After the search, there were two people leaving the Lockhart and Hudson home, 39-year-old Calvin Sweeten and 33-year-old Jeanie Cain both were found to be in possession of meth.  

Their home was next door to Lockhart and Hudson which led police to searching it which they found three kids unattended.  

Law enforcement then found the home to be powered by an extension cord and only had one single mattress. There was a running space heater in the home. Sweeney and Cain are both facing drug charges and three counts of endangering a child.  

In total Martin, Pederson, Lockhart, Sweeten and Cain were all arrested. There is an arrest warrant pending for Hudson for her involvement in the case. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.