November 26, 2010
FORMER COLORADO SPRINGS MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AFTER BEING A FUGITIVE FOR 14 YEARS
DENVER – Ronald K. Thrasher, age 49, formerly of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn to serve 169 months (over 14 years) in federal prison for drug crimes and failure to appear, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the U.S. Marshals Service announced. Thrasher was brought to justice after being on the run from law enforcement for 14 years. Following his period of incarceration, Thrasher was ordered by the judge to serve 3 years on supervised release. Thrasher appeared at the hearing in custody, and was remanded.
Ronald K. Thrasher was charged in a three count Information on April 28, 1995. He pled guilty to all of the counts charged on June 13, 1995. He then absconded before being sentenced. Thrasher was originally charged with and pled guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
To avoid capture, Thrasher had fled to Canada and resided in several locations under a stolen identity for some 10 years. He then returned to the U.S. and settled in Corpus Christi using the same stolen identity. Thrasher was located and apprehended on April 15, 2009 at his residence in Corpus Christi, Texas, by the U.S. Marshals Service. Thrasher was later returned to the District of Colorado. On August 11, 2009, Thrasher was indicted for knowingly failing to appear before the court as required, in violation of release on bond for a felony offense. He pled guilty to that charge on August 11, 2010. He was sentenced Tuesday, November 24, 2010.
According to the June 1995 plea agreement, on July 31, 1994, a Fountain Police Officer contacted Thrasher following a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, the officer recovered a sawed off 20 gauge shotgun. He also recovered two shotgun shells in Thrasher’s pocket. On August 5, 1994, a search of the vehicle being driven by Thrasher at the time of his arrest resulted in the recovery of additional firearms, including a Norinco SKS rifle and several packages of methamphetamine. On February 10, 1994, Thrasher pled guilty and was sentenced for class 4 felony theft in El Paso County District Court. It is against federal law for convicted felons to possess firearms.
According to the August 2010 plea agreement, on October 30, 2005, Thrasher knowingly failed to appear at U.S. District Court in Denver to be sentenced for the charges in which he pled guilty in June 1995.
The original investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Fountain Police Department.
“Thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service and their fugitive location and apprehension efforts, this 14 year fugitive now finally is sentenced to prison for his crimes,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.
“We are pleased with the outcome of this case,” said Special Agent in Charge, Marvin Richardson. “ATF will continue with our mission in keeping the public safe by investigating all firearm-related violent crimes and arresting those that place the public in danger.”
The failure to appear case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Phillips. The prior drug case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Guy Till.
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