The following arrests were conducted after ongoing investigations by NCSO investigators for the distribution of methamphetamine in Nacogdoches County.
On February 24, 2026 the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of College Street in the city of Nacogdoches. Investigators established probable cause for the search warrant after identifying subjects who were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine from this residence.
Two occupants were taken into custody at the residence who were the target of the investigation. Howard Clay Cooper, 53 years of age and Jessica Marie Ady, 36 years of age, both from Nacogdoches, Texas were arrested at the scene.
A search of the residence led to the discovery of 53 grams of methamphetamine and 29 grams of crack cocaine that was discovered hidden in a secret compartment. Both subjects were transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail and charged with two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance a 1st degree felony. Bond was set at 200,000.00 dollars on Cooper and 150,000.00 dollars on Ady. Both subjects remain in the Nacogdoches County Jail.
On 02-20-26, NCSO investigators conducted a search warrant on Cr. 563 in the Kingtown community. Robert Williams, 52 years of age and Charlie Franklin Rickenbacker, 80 years of age were arrested at the residence. Investigators had conducted undercover operations which resulted in methamphetamine being purchased from this residence from both suspects. Investigators found drug paraphernalia and other items that were consistent with distributing narcotics. Both men were charged with warrants that investigators had obtained for their arrest during the undercover operation.
Williams was charged with Delivery of a controlled substance a 1st degree felony. Bond was set at 100,00.00 dollars. Rickenbacker was charged with Delivery of a controlled substance a 2nd degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000.00 dollars. Both men remain in the Nacogdoches County jail.
On 03-05-26 the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a passenger car on FM 2782. The vehicle was occupied by Amber Leigh Kinkaid, 47 years of age and Matthew Bradley Whitaker, 33 years of age. Both subjects are from Nacogdoches, Texas.
Deputies became suspicious of both subjects due to how they were acting. NCSO investigators arrived at the traffic stop after learning who was inside the vehicle, that investigators had ongoing information on for distribution of methamphetamine. After investigators spoke with Kinkaid who was operating the vehicle without a driver license, she confessed to having a large amount of methamphetamine hidden on her person.
A total of 140 grams of methamphetamine was found on Kinkaid. Whitaker was interviewed and further investigation found that he was also involved in the transportation of the methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail.
Both subjects were charged with Delivery of a controlled substance a 1st degree felony and bond was set at $20,000.00 dollars for each suspect. Kinkaid made bond on 3-6-26 and was released pending a court date. Whitaker remains in the Nacogdoches County Jail.