On November 15, 2023, Detective J. Waldon, a member of the newly formed Street Crimes Unit of the Palestine Police Department, made a significant arrest at the Woodside Village Apartment complex located at 2020 MLK Blvd.
Detective Waldon encountered Cedric Hicks, 43, who was parked in a fire lane. Hicks, known to the police for his history of narcotics trafficking, was found to be wanted on six Palestine Municipal warrants. Upon further investigation, Detective Waldon discovered a small electronic scale containing trace amounts of methamphetamine on Hicks.
During the arrest, evidence of marijuana use was found inside Hicks' vehicle, and disturbingly, a small child was present. Hicks, claiming to reside in the apartment with Surnetra Turner, 36, handed over the child to Turner when she appeared during the arrest. In addition to the outstanding warrants, Hicks faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Abandonment or Endangerment of a Child.
Utilizing information obtained during Hicks' arrest, Detective Waldon secured a search warrant for the apartment shared by Hicks and Turner. Judge C. Michael Davis of the 369th Judicial District in Anderson County reviewed and approved the warrant.
On November 16, 2023, the Palestine Police Department's Emergency Response Team (ERT) executed the search warrant. However, the apartment was found unoccupied. Detectives conducted a thorough search and discovered various incriminating items, including a bag of marijuana weighing approximately 18 grams and about an ounce of methamphetamine hidden in a cereal box in the kitchen. Evidence suggested that several children lived in the residence.
Hicks and Turner now face charges by warrant, including Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 within a Drug-Free Zone. This charge stems from the apartment's proximity to a licensed daycare within 1,000 feet of the complex.
As of now, Hicks is incarcerated in the Anderson County jail, while Turner has an active warrant for her arrest. The police department urges the public to contact them with any information regarding Turner's whereabouts.
