Lufkin, Texas – A 23-year-old Texas man, Avante Nicholson, is wanted by police for allegedly hiding plastic Easter eggs filled with marijuana around Lufkin on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Authorities say Nicholson turned the illegal act into a scavenger hunt by posting clues on his Facebook page, guiding people to the locations of the drug-filled eggs. The unusual scheme has shocked the community and sparked a manhunt as police work to bring him into custody.
The incident unfolded in three public parks, Morris Frank Park, Winston Park, and Grace Dunn Richardson Park, as well as behind a Motel 6 in Lufkin, a city about 133 miles northeast of Houston. Police recovered four of the five eggs, each containing over a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. A grandfather and his granddaughter found the fifth egg at Winston Park the next day and turned it over to authorities. The locations, especially the parks, are popular with families, raising serious concerns about public safety.
Nicholson’s Facebook posts reportedly included photos of the eggs inside a vehicle and hints about where to find them. He also suggested that people who bought drugs from him that day would get extra clues, hinting at a broader intent to distribute marijuana. A resident’s tip about the suspicious posts led police to identify Nicholson as the suspect. The social media evidence was key in linking him to the crime, showing not only the egg locations but also references to drug sales.
As of April 30, 2025, Nicholson remains at large, with arrest warrants issued on April 24 for four felony charges. These include three counts of delivering marijuana in a drug-free zone, a third-degree felony, and one count of delivering marijuana, a state jail felony. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to $10,000 in fines and two years in jail under Texas law. The drug-free zone charges stem from the eggs being placed near areas like parks and schools, which carry stricter penalties.
Lufkin Police Chief David Thomas expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the danger to children in these community spaces.
“Our priority is keeping Lufkin safe, especially for families,”
Thomas said.
“This kind of reckless behavior is unacceptable.”
The community has echoed these concerns, stunned by the idea of drugs hidden in Easter eggs during a holiday meant for family fun.
The case highlights how social media can play a role in modern crime, with Nicholson using Facebook to orchestrate his plan. It also underscores the challenges police face in tracking suspects who use digital platforms to distribute drugs. For now, the search for Nicholson continues, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
