A Texas County man will spend 20 years in prison under a sentence given Tuesday in U.S. District Court.
Richard D. Sims, 63, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms. He is not eligible for parole. The court also ordered Sims to forfeit to the government $480,000, which represents the proceeds of drug trafficking.
On Oct. 31, 2023, Sims pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
By pleading guilty, Sims admitted that he participated in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from March 9 to July 11, 2022. Sims also admitted to aiding and abetting his wife, co-defendant Billie J. Sims, 53, to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on three separate occasions.
On July 8, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at the Sims’ residence. Agents found a bag that contained 95.9 grams of methamphetamine in the bathtub. Agents also found three firearms inside a safe – a Canik 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Colt .38-caliber revolver – and an Armscor of the Philippines .38-caliber revolver in the garage.
Billie Sims told investigators that Richard Sims had distributed approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine over the past five months.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Richard Sims has prior felony convictions for burglary, theft, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
Richard Sims is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Billie Sims is among four co-defendants who have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon and Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, the South Central Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Licking Police Department, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Police Department.