Press Releases

AUSTIN – This month, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) answered Governor Greg Abbott’s call to action for state agencies by launching a new public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of fentanyl. The multi-pronged campaign includes posting informational signage in DPS buildings, public service announcements at driver license offices statewide and publishing a webpage offering valuable resources.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Antonio Gonzalez has been named November’s Featured Fugitive. The reward is increased this month to $8,500 if information leading to his arrest is received from tips.

AUSTIN – Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders are back in custody following their recent arrests. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Kim Cooks, of Austin, was arrested October 26, in Austin. Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Chris Slack, of San Antonio, was also arrested October 26, in Von Ormy, Texas. No Crime Stoppers rewards will be paid.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added prison escapee Brandon Wayne Hogan to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive’s List and is asking citizens to be on the lookout. Hogan is wanted for escape. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted fugitives are back in custody following their recent arrests. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Braeion Henderson was arrested September 30, in New Orleans, Lou., and Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Paul Basaldua was arrested October 6, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. No Crime Stoppers rewards will be paid.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two fugitives to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists. Matthew Edgar is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, and Sergio Corona is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Edgar’s arrest, and up to $3,000 for information leading to Corona’s arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Erick Martinez has been named this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward amount is increased to $8,500 if information leading to his arrest is received from tips in October.

AUSTIN – Con el regreso a las escuelas en el estado de la estrella solitaria y la llegada del otoño, el Departamento de Seguridad Pública (DPS) se enorgullece en de presentar la aplicación iWatchTexas, ahora disponible en español, para usuarios de iOS y Android.

WESLACO – In a joint operation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) disrupted a human smuggling attempt by plane in Weslaco, Texas.

WESLACO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently arrested a suspected illegal immigrant who attempted to take a weapon away from a Texas National Guard soldier serving as part of Operation Lone Star.

EL PASO - On Sept. 26, 2022, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agents, with assistance from Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, the United States Border Patrol (USBP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Jenna Roark, 45, of El Paso, and a 15-year-old juvenile on charges of smuggling of persons and aggravated kidnapping. 

AUSTIN – More than 30 years after the crime, the Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program (UCIP) has helped secure a conviction in the 1988 killing of Patricia Ann Howell Jacobs.

AUSTIN – On Sept. 21 and 22, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to offer a two-day Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program. IPC is a human trafficking and crimes against children class that trains front-line officers to recognize indicators that a child may be a victim, at risk of victimization or missing.

AUSTIN – Three of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders are back in custody following their recent arrests. Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Raynaldo Tijerina, of San Antonio, was arrested September 6, in Fort Stockton. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders Steven Powers, of Teague, was also arrested September 6, in Atlanta, Ga., and Columbus Johnson, of Wharton, was arrested September 8, in Rosenburg.

AUSTIN – Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 18-24, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding drivers to make sure your young passengers are secured properly in order to save lives.