PALESTINE, Texas - A late-night traffic stop in Palestine resulted in the arrest of two residents after officers discovered drugs, counterfeit currency, and other illegal items, police said.
According to the Palestine Police Department, Officer C. Clowery stopped a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis at approximately 11:38 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2026, in the 1100 block of East Palestine Avenue.
The driver was identified as Juan Manuel Vega, 42, of Palestine. A license check showed Vega’s driver’s license was suspended, and he was taken into custody for driving while license invalid. During a search, officers found a bag of suspected methamphetamine on Vega’s person.
Police said a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered additional suspected methamphetamine concealed inside a container with a false bottom, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit U.S. currency, and prescription medication.
The passenger, identified as Katherine Kylene McCreight, 41, of Palestine, was also detained. Officers reported seeing McCreight discard a prescription pill bottle containing suspected alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax. Additional suspected methamphetamine and financial cards belonging to other individuals were found inside a bag McCreight claimed as hers.
Authorities said the total amount of suspected contraband recovered included more than 29 grams of suspected methamphetamine, more than four ounces of suspected marijuana, and eight counterfeit $100 bills.
As a result of the investigation, Vega was charged with driving while license invalid, possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 between 4 and 200 grams, possession of marijuana over four ounces, and forgery of a financial instrument.
McCreight was charged with possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 between 4 and 200 grams, possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 3 under 28 grams, possession of marijuana over four ounces, and forgery of a financial instrument.
