The Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Division, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, made multiple arrests over the weekend as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation involving a Livingston man.
During the months-long investigation, investigators developed information indicating that Joshua Wayne Kirkland, 40, was involved in trafficking narcotics in Polk County and the surrounding areas.
While conducting surveillance, investigators observed a vehicle leaving a motel room that had been occupied by Kirkland and Kayla Marie Hodge, 33, of Goodrich. A lawful traffic stop was conducted after investigators observed the driver not wearing a safety belt. During the stop, a trained narcotics detection K-9 alerted to the vehicle, leading to a probable cause search.
During the search, investigators located approximately five grams of methamphetamine that had been discarded into a soft drink inside a Styrofoam cup in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. The driver, Johnny Marvin Riley, 27, and passenger Billy Jack Smith, 43, both of Livingston, were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and tampering with evidence.
As the investigation continued, a search warrant was prepared and presented to 411th District Judge John Wells III who reviewed and issued a warrant. Polk County Narcotics Investigators executed the search warrant at the motel room, where they located approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, scales commonly used to weigh narcotics, baggies commonly used to package methamphetamine for sale, and a water bong commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.
Kirkland and Hodge were not at the location when the search warrant was executed. Felony warrants were later prepared for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and issued by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sarah Rasberry.
Investigators located Kirkland and Hodge at another Livingston motel on Sunday and took both into custody without incident. They were arrested on their outstanding felony warrants.
“This investigation is another example of the dedication and persistence of our narcotics division and our law enforcement partners,” Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said. “Those who choose to bring dangerous drugs into Polk County should understand that we will continue to pursue these investigations aggressively and hold offenders accountable.”
“Methamphetamine continues to damage families and communities across East Texas,” Chief Deputy Andy Lowrie said. “Our agency remains committed to identifying those involved in the trafficking of illegal narcotics and working with our local and state partners to remove these drugs from our streets.”
The investigation remains active, and additional charges are expected to be filed against both Kirkland and Hodge.
