Fugitive Arrested In Cumberland Co. After Five Years On The Run

U.S. Marshals and TBI agents have arrested a Sparta man who disappeared during a major drug trial five years ago.

72-year-old Ronald Eli Lewis was arrested this morning in Cumberland County.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith said Lewis was convicted in March of 2012 of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana throughout Middle Tennessee.

The verdict stemmed from the attempted delivery of nearly 900 pounds of marijuana to Lewis’ family farm in Sparta, Tennessee on March 28, 2007.  Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation had tracked the marijuana to the farm, where Lewis, his cousin Cliff Lewis were arrested as they began to unload it.

The jury heard evidence that the delivery was part of a larger scheme to ship thousands of pounds of marijuana via tractor trailer from Texas to Tennessee.

During the trial Ronald Lewis was free on bond and failed to show up for the remainder of the trial and was subsequently convicted in absentia.

“I join with the leadership of our law enforcement partners in commending the outstanding work of the U.S. Marshals’ Service and the TBI for the capture of Ronald Lewis,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith.  “This district is fortunate to have the dedicated professionals of these agencies.  Because of their efforts and their careful planning and execution of this operation, a dangerous fugitive is back in custody and his freedom to scoff at the justice system has come to an abrupt end.”

Lewis’s cousin and two other co-defendants were convicted and sentenced to prison.