A Texas man identified as Avante Nicholson has been accused of placing plastic Easter eggs filled with marijuana across several Lufkin, Texas, parks and a motel. Furthermore, Nicholson allegedly posted pictures of the eggs on Facebook as a way of hinting at their location. Police are still searching for him.
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According to the
Lufkin Police Department, the incident that triggered the investigation took place on Easter Sunday, April 20. Reportedly, one Lufkin resident reported that Nicholson had posted photos of three different marijuana-filled plastic Easter eggs on Facebook.Allegedly, Avante Nicholson hid a total of five different Easter eggs filled with the drug across Lufkin city. By posting the photos, Nicholson allegedly hinted at their location, inviting users online to search for them across the city.
Police officers, however, were able to find and seize four Easter eggs. Three eggs in total were found in Morris Frank, Winston, and Grace Dunn Richardson parks. The fourth one was found behind Motel 6, located on Timberland Drive.
An additional photo posted by Nicholson showed a total of five Easter eggs, but police believed he didn't place the fifth one. However, on April 21, a man and his granddaughter found the fifth egg at Winston Park. They brought the Easter egg to the police station.
Warrants Issued
In total, more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana was found inside the five plastic Easter eggs. Police also found more troubling content shared on his Facebook page.
"They also found statements referencing selling narcotics on multiple occasions," the police statement read. "In the posts, he stated whoever 'shopped' with him the day of the scavenger hunt would get hints to the locations of the eggs."
As a result of the investigation, four warrants were issued for Avante Nicholson. Three of them are for delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone. The fourth one is for delivery of marijuana.
"Incidents like this are a reminder of why take seriously all information called in to our offices," Lufkin Police Chief David Thomas said in the statement. "On the surface, it seems implausible that someone would give away a drug, but the follow up proves that sometimes even the most unlikely things do happen."
"The safety of our community is at the forefront of everything we do. And in cases such as this, when it endangers children, we are even more vigilant."
As per PEOPLE, Avante Nicholson could face up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine in connection with his charges.
