Man pleads not guilty to drug, weapons charges

A 50-year-old man already facing drug and weapons charges in Miller County, Ark., pleaded not guilty to similar charges at a hearing in a Texarkana federal court Friday.

Thomas Tank appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant for arraignment on a three-count indictment at a hearing in Texarkana’s downtown federal building. Texarkana lawyer Craig Henry entered a not guilty plea to all charges on Tank’s behalf.

An indictment handed down March 1 and unsealed Friday accuses Tank of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drug Dec. 16. Count two of the indictment alleges Tank possess an InterArms .38 caliber pistol Jan. 23 while prohibited from doing so as a convicted felon. Count three of the indictment alleges Tank possessed a Remington double-barrel shotgun Jan. 23 which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record in violation of federal law.

The government is seeking Tank’s forfeiture of the guns. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones filed a motion asking that Tank remain behind bars while his case is pending. The motion cites the safety of the community and notes that Tank is facing a minimum 10-year term in the drug case. Henry waived the issue of detention in Tank’s case at Friday’s hearing and Tank remains in federal custody. The case is scheduled for trial May 22 before U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas.

Tank is facing similar charges at the state level in Miller County. Tank is accused of possessing less than two grams of methamphetamine Jan. 23, the same date listed in his federal indictment for the gun-possession charges. Tank is also accused in Miller County of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, and possession of a prohibited weapon, a Remington double-barrel shotgun, all on Jan. 23.

Another pending case in Miller County accuses Tank of possessing with the intent to deliver 10 to 200 grams of methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia and possessing under 14 grams of marijuana, all on Dec. 16.