District court sentences local man on drug charges

A Clarendon man was convicted of drug-related charges when the 100th Judicial District Court met here on Monday, March 5.

Darrell Ray Thomas was convicted of the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, enhanced. Thomas was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

Thomas, a 45-year old resident of Clarendon, was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on January 4, 2012. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Thomas was required to pay $443 in court costs to Donley County, $140 restitution, and a fine of $1,000.

Thomas was arrested by Donley County Chief Deputy Randy Bond after a dispatcher received a phone call regarding a vehicle driving erratically, according to Inman.

“Randy [Bond] did an excellent investigation in this case, including not only the possession case but protecting the citizens from this individual who was under the influence of narcotics,” said District Attorney Luke Inman. “His hard work resulted in the plea of guilty without the necessity of a jury trial which was scheduled for April 10.”

Also in court on March 5, Andrew Edward Strickland was placed on probation for a period of four years for the third degree felony offense of possession of marihuana. Strickland pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Strickland, 28-year-old resident of Costa Mesa, Calif., was arrested in Carson County for the offense that took place November 17, 2011, by DPS Trooper Ben Dollar and pleaded guilty to a complaint and information filed by the State on January 18, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Strickland is required to pay a $4,000 fine to Carson County, and is also required to pay $331 in court costs, $140 restitution, and complete 200 hours of community service. If Strickland violates probation he could face up to ten years in TDCJ.

Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding. A total of $5,000 in fines was assessed as a result of the pleas that took place on March 5. In addition, the defendants were required to pay $774 in court costs and $280 restitution.