Livingston, Texas – A routine traffic stop in Livingston led to the arrest of five individuals after a narcotics investigation revealed a significant amount of methamphetamine and cocaine. On the night of February 5, officers with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle on Mill Gate Road for a traffic violation.
The driver, 36-year-old Justin Martin of Cleveland, and passenger, 27-year-old Holli Pederson of Livingston, were both identified. After allegedly smelling burnt marijuana, officers proceeded to search the vehicle and found that both individuals were in possession of meth and marijuana.
Martin was arrested on charges of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance and held on a $50,000 bond. Pederson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with a $15,000 bond.
Following the search, information provided by Martin and Pederson led to a search warrant being executed at the home of 60-year-old Kenneth Ray Lockhart Jr. and 63-year-old Lou Ann Hudson, both of Livingston. On February 6, police searched the residence, finding a large quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and packaging materials used for narcotics distribution. Lockhart was arrested for manufacturing and delivering methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.
During the search, officers also encountered 39-year-old Calvin Sweeten and 33-year-old Jeanie Cain, both of Livingston, leaving the home. Sweeten and Cain were found to be in possession of meth. Police discovered three children left unattended inside the home, sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Both Sweeten and Cain were arrested for three counts of abandoning or endangering a child and possession of a controlled substance. Sweeten’s bond was set at $65,000, while Cain’s bond was set at $60,000.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the critical role of proactive patrols in preventing further harm to vulnerable children and removing dangerous narcotics from the community. All five suspects were booked into the Polk County Jail, and further investigation continues.
