Press Releases

EL PASO – Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested six suspects in connection with a Lone Star Card fraud investigation in the El Paso area. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Lone Star Cards are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help payments. From 2016 to the current date, 30 individuals have been arrested for Lone Star Card fraud.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Jesse Vega to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list and Marcos Alonzo to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Vega’s arrest and a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to Alonzo’s arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Mack Kizzee III is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $6,000 during March if the tip is received this month.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the results of several human trafficking mitigation and rescue operations conducted during January 2024, which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During that month alone, Special Agents from DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID), along with local and federal partners, conducted 12 operations focused on human trafficking. These operations resulted in the rescue of 52 trafficking victims, including nine children. 

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, presented two William P. Clements Excellence Awards along with several Lifesaving Awards, a Director’s Award and one Unit Citation, at the PSC meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the DPS Headquarters in Austin.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces several changes at key leadership positions within the department. The promotions are a result of the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Mathis on Jan. 31, after more than three decades of dedicated service.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Raul Herrera Jr. has been named this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $8,500 if the tip is received this month.

AUSTIN – Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted are back in custody following their recent arrests. Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Steven Leifeste was arrested Jan. 26. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Kenneth Dove Jr. was arrested Feb. 2. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid in either arrest.

WEST TEXAS REGION – During January 2024, as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) conducted numerous operations throughout the West Texas Region.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Markeis Jamal Richardson of Texarkana, Texas, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is pleased to announce that the Violent Offender Database is now available. This new database launched on December 29, 2023 ― officially going live ahead of its required Jan. 1, 2024, deadline.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol Troopers rescued their 600th child during traffic stops since the implementation of specialized training through the Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) Program. The IPC Program began training Troopers in 2009.

AUSTIN – A Texas 10 Most Wanted offender is back in custody after their arrest on Dec. 11, 2023, in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid in this arrest.

AUSTIN – A nearly two-decades old cold case has been solved thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Texas Rangers and local law enforcement. Last month, the 35th Judicial District Court of Mills County convicted Jessie Rodriquez, 41, of attempted aggravated sexual assault, a second-degree felony. Rodriquez received the maximum 20-year prison sentence.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages everyone to put safety at the top of their list this holiday season. The Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaign beginning Dec. 22 and running through the rest of the year. Troopers will be out on the roads looking for people who are speeding, not wearing their seat belts, driving while intoxicated or committing other traffic violations.