Upshur County man sentenced to 99 years in prison for drug and gun possession | News

GILMER, Texas – An Upshur County, Texas man has been sentenced to 99 years in prison by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for drug and weapons violations.

According to the Upshur County District Attorney's Office, a jury found 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner guilty on Wednesday after a year-long investigation and after a 2024 search warrant for narcotics was executed in February.

Prosecutors said Skinner was found in a commercial building with methamphetamine, marijuana, cutting agents, loaded syringes and several firearms while reportedly sitting next to a loaded, sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun.

A press release said Skinner was arraigned and charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Skinner was classified as a habitual offender and had already served four prison sentences.

He was on parole after serving a 25-year prison sentence for drunk driving in 2012. He was released on parole in 2020, but was considered a fugitive because there was a two-year search warrant out for him.

Six other people were arrested at the same location and are currently in custody.

Billy Byrd, Upshur County Criminal District Attorney, said, “Due to the efforts of the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and our continued aggressive law enforcement, the message should be heard loud and clear: criminals will not have a safe haven in this county.”