U.S. Marshals seek Marble Falls felon

BY ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS

The U.S. Marshals are hunting a Marble Falls man previously convicted on drug trafficking charges.

Thomas Richard Sims, 35, is wanted for violating the terms of his release following several years in prison on distribution and possession charges. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Saturday, July 26.

Supervisory Deputy Hector Gomez of the U.S. Marshals Western District of Texas said Sims went missing just before he was scheduled to check in to a substance abuse treatment program.  His probation officer purchased him a ticket to the program on July 8, but Sims never showed up.

Sims is expected to be hiding in Burnet County or the greater Austin area.

“His network isn’t there anymore, but we figure he’ll be in Marble Falls or the Burnet County area, or here in Austin,” Gomez said. “We figure if we get his name and photo out, it will shake the trees up a little bit.”

Sims, who took up residence in Marble Falls on County Road 120 prior to his incarceration in 2004, is described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’10, approximately 190 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He may be recognized by extensive tattooing up and down his body, including the word “Texas” across his sternum, “Marble Falls” across his lower back, and a small star on the throat between the collar bones.

For the full story, see Friday's Highlander.