On April 1, 2024, a Hopkins County Deputy, while on patrol for the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office, was working traffic enforcement in the area of Interstate 30 near the 127 mile marker East Bound. During his patrol, the deputy observed a silver Chevy Cruze passing his location with an obstructed license plate. Acting on this observation, the deputy entered the interstate to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Approaching the driver's side of the vehicle after it came to a stop on the exit ramp, the deputy requested the driver to pull off to a safer place to conduct the investigation. Once in a secure location, the deputy made contact with the driver and requested her driver's license and proof of insurance. While conversing with the driver, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
The driver was informed of the reason for the stop and asked to exit the vehicle to observe the license plate. While at the rear of the vehicle, the deputy queried the driver if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, to which she admitted to a small amount. Upon this admission, the deputy informed her of his intent to conduct a probable cause search and asked if her son could exit the vehicle.
Upon the son's exit from the vehicle, the driver hastily grabbed a pink bag from inside. When questioned about its contents, she revealed she had a small pistol inside the bag. The deputy retrieved the firearm and conducted a records check on its serial number, which returned with a hit indicating it was reported stolen from Garland County, Arkansas.
Furthermore, a records check conducted by Communications revealed that the driver, identified as Kendra Holliman, had felony convictions, including unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm.
