Three from Hendersonville arrested, charged after kids & drugs found locked in U-Haul

COCKE COUNTY, T.N. (WLOS) — Three people from Hendersonville have been arrested and charged with multiple crimes after the Tennessee Highway Patrol pulled over a U-Haul box truck in Cocke County and found children locked in the back.

According to the arrest report, Lakista Williams, 38-year-old Eric Larue and 40-year-old Willie Green Jr. were traveling west on Interstate 40 on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

Authorities received a call from a bystander who had seen several small children being locked in the back of a white U-Haul at a Welcome Center.

Troopers reportedly stopped the truck and found three children, all under the age of 8, inside the back of the U-Haul.

The report also states that a “strong smell of marijuana was coming from inside the front of the truck.”

One of the passengers handed over a small amount of marijuana when the Trooper asked. Crystal meth, cocaine and other drug paraphernalia were also found inside the front cab of the truck.

Lakista Williams has been charged with 3 counts of child endangerment; 2 counts of possession of schedule 2; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eric Larue has been charged with 3 counts of child endangerment; no license; 3 counts of child restraint (seat-belt); and failing to maintain lane of travel.

Willie Green Jr. has been charged with 3 counts of child endangerment and simple possession of schedule 6.