Three residents of Etoile, Texas, were arrested Monday night after a traffic stop by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies uncovered firearms, a homemade bomb, and illegal drugs.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., deputies conducted the stop near the intersection of FM 226 and CR 560, close to the former Etoile Independent School District campus. The vehicle's occupants were identified as Brandon Thomas Lightfoot, 28; Misti Michelle Fink, 32; and Melanie Marie Lyman, 38.
Deputies detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed multiple firearms in plain view. A probable-cause search, conducted with assistance from Department of Public Safety State Troopers, uncovered two rifles, one of which had been reported stolen, along with a handgun. Marijuana, suspected MDMA, and drug paraphernalia were also found.
Further investigation revealed a second handgun in a bag and a homemade explosive device under the driver’s seat. Deputies immediately evacuated nearby residents as a precaution. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Houston Police Department’s bomb squad were contacted. Tyler Fire Department's bomb squad safely disarmed the device.
The three suspects face multiple charges:
- Brandon Thomas Lightfoot: Third-degree felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon, a state-jail felony for theft of a firearm, and a Class A misdemeanor for unlawful carrying of a weapon. His bonds totaled $30,000.
- Misti Michelle Fink: Third-degree felony for possession of a controlled substance, a state-jail felony for theft of a firearm, and a Class A misdemeanor for unlawful carrying of a weapon. Her bonds totaled $20,000.
- Melanie Marie Lyman: Third-degree felony charges for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance, along with a state-jail felony for theft of a firearm. Her bonds totaled $75,000.
The investigation remains ongoing.
