James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

ROWLETT, TEXAS, WOMAN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY FOLLOWING ARREST
ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGE

Rowlett Police Found Thousands of Doses of “Cheese” in Her Home Last Month
Federal Indictment Charges Her With Possession With Intent to Distribute Heroin

DALLAS — Barbara Blanton Sims, 60, of Rowlett, is in federal custody following her arrest Friday evening, by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on an indictment charging possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, announced acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Sims made her initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez and will remain in custody pending her detention hearing before Judge Ramirez on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.

On Wednesday evening, February 11, 2009, Sims was arrested by officers with the Rowlett Police Department after they searched her home in the 6500 block of Fairfield Drive in Rowlett and found Mexican black tar heroin and the drug known as “cheese.” “Cheese” is heroin combined with night-time pain/cold relievers such as Tylenol PM or Advil PM. It is cheap and extremely addictive.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on this federal drug charge, Sims faces a statutory maximum sentence of at least five years and no more than 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. In addition, the indictment includes a forfeiture allegation and if convicted, Sims would be required to forfeit her home in Rowlett to the U.S.

While stating that the investigation is ongoing, acting U.S. Attorney Jacks praised the investigative efforts of the Rowlett Police Department and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon N. McCarthy and Phelesa Guy are prosecuting the case.

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