Sanders found on coast

Published 12:04 am Monday, November 15, 2010

NATCHEZ — Thomas S. Sanders, the man wanted on federal kidnapping charges in connection with the disappearance and death of Lexis Roberts, has been apprehended on the coast.

Sanders was found at a truck stop in Gulfport Sunday by FBI agents and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Evan Hubbard of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said law enforcement received a call Sunday morning from someone at the truck stop claiming to have spotted Sanders.

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The arrest came one day after Sanders was featured on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted.”

Sanders, was wanted on a federal kidnapping warrant.

Sanders was legally declared dead by family in 1994, but is now the prime suspect in the case of the Las Vegas 12-year-old, Roberts, whose bones were found in the woods near Harrisonburg on Oct. 8.

The FBI confirmed Nov. 4 that Roberts had multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators obtained video of Sanders purchasing ammunition at a Las Vegas Walmart on Sept. 3.

The bullets were of the same caliber as those investigators believe killed Roberts.

Sanders reportedly grew up in the area of Catahoula Parish, and has family in the Catahoula area and family in Mississippi.

Hubbard said Sunday evening he was not authorized to give out anymore details on the arrest until business hours today.

Catahoula Parish Sheriff James Kelly said in a press release Sanders is cooperating with the investigation and more details will soon be made available.

Sanders was also seen traveling with Roberts’ mother, Suellen. Authorities did not release any information about Suellen Roberts Sunday.