Fugitive drug trafficker sought

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.

“In 2004 Sims was charged and convicted in a narcotics conspiracy. It was a distribution and possession charge,” Gomez said, adding that because a firearm was found on Sims when he was arrested, the charge included a firearm penalty enhancement. “It was possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.”

Sims was sentenced to 108 months for the drug charge and an additional 60 months for the weapons charge, totaling roughly 14 years imprisonment.

“He served a large portion of that and was recently released under supervision,” Gomez said. “He reported to a probation officer for three to five years of time.”

While under supervised release, Sims violated conditions of his parole.

“Mainly he didn’t abide by the instructions of the probation officer. He didn’t attend the drug treatment facility he was instructed to,” Gomez said, “then he absconded from supervision.”

Gomez said Sims tested positive for drugs, which was most likely the reason he was instructed to attend treatment.

A warrant for Sims’ arrest was issued by a federal judge in Austin.

Gomez said if Sims has begun using narcotics again, it’s not unlikely he will return to other criminal behavior.

“You would have thought he would have kicked the habit. Narcotics were his downfall. It’s likely going to cause him to go back to prison,” Gomez said, adding that once Sims is found, “the judge may throw him back into prison for a couple years, or may suggest drug (addiction) treatment.”

Gomez said the U.S. Marshals encourage Sims to surrender himself to authorities to that he can get the treatment he needs.

Information about Sims’ whereabouts can be provided to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force tip line at 512-800-4213.