Violent Habitual Offender Pleads Guilty to Multiple Drug Trafficking Indictments

Rankin County, MS – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Latarke Maurice Sims, 44, of Forest, pled guilty and will serve twenty years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for two counts of trafficking of methamphetamine. Sims must serve all 20 years, day for day, without the possibility of parole or early release. 

On July 25, 2023, and again on January 10, 2025, Sims was found in possession of trafficking amounts of methamphetamine in Rankin County. During both incidents, Sims was also in possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. In the July 2023 offense, officers recovered a .45 caliber pistol in Sims’ possession, despite his status as a previously convicted felon prohibited from owning firearms. 

Additionally, during the January 2025 encounter, Sims attempted to flee law enforcement, resulting in a high-speed pursuit that endangered public safety and demonstrated extreme disregard for human life. Sims' extensive criminal history further compounded the case. He had been previously convicted of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in 2006, for which he served a 30-year sentence, as well as a prior conviction for Sale of Cocaine in 1998. Based on these offenses, Sims was indicted under Mississippi’s violent habitual offender statute. 

“Mr. Sims has demonstrated a long-term pattern of violent and drug-related crimes, and his repeated offenses show a complete disregard for the law and the safety of our communities,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Pelahatchie Police Department and our prosecution team, Sims is behind bars and no longer trafficking poison in and through our county.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Latarke Maurice Sims

Date of Birth: 02/23/1980 

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