Figure in Notorious Robbery Case Will Be Extradited to Texas

SALT LAKE CITY —  A man jailed here will be extradited to Texas after admitting he was involved in a 1989 robbery there for which a Chula Vista man has been imprisoned.

Ricky L. Knox, 22, appeared Monday before Judge Philip K. Palmer, and Texas detectives expect to have him in custody by Wednesday.

Defense attorney Carlos Esquada said Knox has signed a statement admitting he played a role in a robbery that involved taking a handbag containing $27 from 89-year-old Ina LeMasters. But Knox won’t say exactly what his role was.

Knox was arrested and given a 60-day jail sentence last week in Salt Lake City for retail theft. Judge Maurice D. Jones suspended the rest of the sentence to hasten the extradition.

Officials said Knox is wanted in Sulphur Springs, Tex., on a robbery charge for which 29-year-old Rickey Dale Thomas has served 15 months in prison. Sulphur Springs authorities indicted Knox last week.

Thomas has steadfastly denied his involvement in the incident, but he was convicted last October for the robbery and sentenced to life in prison.

The sentence was based on Thomas’ criminal record and a Texas statute that allows enhanced sentences in crimes committed against the elderly.

Thomas has maintained that he was working in Chula Vista the day of the crime, and has records and witnesses supporting the claim.

As soon as Hopkins County Dist. Atty. Frank Long in Texas is satisfied with Knox’s statement, Thomas’ lawyers plan to seek his release through the courts.