05/30/2026
NARCOTICS ARREST ON SH 87
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 7:19 p.m., Sergeant Chad Ainsworth was patrolling State Highway 87 near County Road 4102 when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. Sergeant Ainsworth identified the driver as Kristen Elizabeth Barrett of Kirbyville.
During the course of the traffic stop, Sgt. Ainsworth developed reasonable suspicion that criminal activity was occurring. He requested consent to search the vehicle, however, Barrett refused.
When Sgt. Ainsworth explained that he would be deploying K9 Rhino to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle, Barrett became belligerent and refused to follow instructions to step away from the car. Barrett then began walking back toward the driver’s door. Sgt. Ainsworth attempted to place Barrett in handcuffs, but she physically resisted. After a brief struggle, Barrett was restrained and placed under arrest for Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transport.
During a subsequent inventory of the vehicle, Sgt. Ainsworth located two baggies containing approximately 5 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Barrett was transported to the Newton County Jail, where she was charged with Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transport-MA and Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1 >=4G
