Lone Star Fugitive Task Force

Connie Swinney  Staff Writer •
The Highlander

Authorities captured a convicted child predator in Marble Falls Tuesday, Aug. 21, after he failed to register as a sex offender in two counties, according to the U.S. Marshal's Office.

Joseph Michael Gore, 32, was added to the “Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders” list by the Texas Department of Public Safety in July.

Investigators say he failed to register as a sex offender in Tom Green County and Irion County in connection with 2013 and 2014 convictions of aggravated sexual assault of a child, age 13, and sexual assault of a child, age 16.

The task force with the assistance of DPS and the Marble Falls Police Department descended on a business that morning in the 2500 block of U.S. 281, where they found Gore.

“He was a customer there,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla, who is public information officer for the task force.

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.”