FBI identifies man sought in death of Las Vegas girl, 12

By Jackie Valley

Published Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 | 10:29 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 | 2:18 p.m.

The FBI is charging a man who was believed to be with 12-year-old Lexis Roberts and her mother on a trip to Arizona with kidnapping the young girl, whose remains were found last month in Louisiana.

The FBI issued a federal kidnapping warrant for Thomas Steven Sanders, 53, who remains at large, officials in Louisiana announced today.

FBI officials in Louisiana said video footage from Sept. 3 at a Walmart in Las Vegas captured Sanders buying ammunition consistent with the caliber of weapon used in the homicide. A forensic anthropologist in Louisiana determined that Roberts died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Roberts was reported missing in early September by family members who said she was on a trip to Flagstaff, Ariz., with her mother, Suellen, 31, and Sanders. The trio never returned Sept. 6 as planned.

Hunters in a wooded area north of Harrisonburg, La., found the remains of Lexis Roberts on Oct. 8. Authorities confirmed her identity through dental records, officials from the sheriff's office said.

Her mother, Suellen, is missing and is not considered a suspect at this point, said Robert E. King, supervisory senior resident agent with the FBI in Alexandria, La. Authorities believe Suellen was last seen Sept. 5 with Lexis and Sanders at an entrance to the Grand Canyon, he said.

Louisiana officials said Sanders was legally declared dead by family members in Mississippi, but authorities now know he is alive and has ties to several states across the country.

FBI officials said Sanders is missing his upper teeth and has only two lower teeth. Associates of Sanders also told investigators that Sanders has a tattoo on his chest and a scar on his abdomen.

Sanders has held various jobs including welder, scrap metal collector, night watchman, pallet fabricator and handyman, officials said. Authorities described him as white, about 5-feet-8-inches tall and at least 200 pounds with brown hair.

Sanders, who has a history of exchanging vehicles in salvage yards, was last seen driving a silver 2001 Kia Spectra with notable damage on the passenger-side doors. The car originally bore a Nevada license plate, but investigators suspect Sanders may have stolen plates to avoid detection.

Anyone who has seen Sanders or Lexis Roberts and her mother since Sept. 3 is being asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.