Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking information in the 1977 slaying of 73-year-old S.A. “Champ” Weaver, then the Precinct 4 Constable of Winkler County. An increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible if the tip is received before the next featured cold case is announced. A $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest is routinely offered on all cases on the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety announces the implementation of a waiver for commercial driver license (CDL) applicants seeking to operate a school bus. This waiver is effective Jan. 24, 2022, and expires March 31, 2022.

LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), during Operation Lone Star, located 22 illegal immigrants concealed inside two plywood crates after a Highway Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop in Webb County. (DPS South Texas Region)

AUSTIN – As kids kick off the second half of the school year, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds students, parents, teachers and other school administrators that the iWatchTexas program is a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity in schools and communities in order to help prevent dangerous attacks. During the 2020-21 school year, there were no school shootings in Texas. By using the numerous resources available, everyone can continue working to prevent attacks by reporting any potential threats.

LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), during Operation Lone Star, located 28 illegal immigrants concealed inside a commercial vehicle after a Highway Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop in Webb County.

AUSTIN – The reward for Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Bobby Joe Flores Jr., who’s this month’s featured fugitive, has been increased to $6,000 for information leading to his arrest if tips are received during January. Flores, 34, is wanted for continuous sexual abuse of a young child and failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is pleased to announce that in 2021, it had the highest number of Most Wanted Offenders captured in a single year since the program’s inception in 1993. Last year DPS, in cooperation with state, federal, local and Mexican authorities,* captured a record 34 fugitives and sex offenders. This breaks the previous record of 32 captures that was set in 2013. Additionally, $71,500 in rewards was paid in anonymous tips that resulted in arrests.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Manuel Muniz, of Morgan, is back in custody following his arrest on Dec. 13. Members of U.S. Border Patrol encountered Muniz at the Del Rio-Acuna Port of Entry. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid in his arrest.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging everyone to end 2021 safely as they head out on the road for the holidays. The Texas Highway Patrol will conduct its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaigns beginning Dec. 23, looking for people who are speeding, not wearing their seat belts, driving while intoxicated or committing other traffic violations.

AUSTIN – The Texas Military Department (TMD) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted a media briefing Thursday to provide an update on Operation Lone Star (OLS). The briefing was held at DPS’ regional headquarters in Weslaco.

LAREDO — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID), during Operation Lone Star, located 100 illegal immigrants in a tractor trailer after a DPS Special Agent observed criminal activity involving the commercial vehicle in Webb County.

AUSTIN – Three of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives are back in custody following their arrests. Marshall Willard Brown was arrested Dec. 1 in Austin. Richard Anthony Banda was arrested Dec. 2 in Dilley. Christopher Wayne Davis II was arrested Dec. 6 in Longview. No rewards will be paid in their arrests.

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw awarded 17 Lifesaving Awards; one Unit Citation; and one Purple Heart to department personnel at the PSC meeting on Thursday, Dec. 9, at DPS Headquarters in Austin. Ten Director’s Awards were also presented to members of partner agencies at the meeting.

AUSTIN – Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders are back in custody following their arrests last month. Jackie Dale Brown was arrested Nov. 29 in Killeen, while William Daniel Clifford was arrested Nov. 30 in Arkansas. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid in the arrests of both men.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Military Department (TMD) hosted a media briefing Thursday to provide an update on Operation Lone Star (OLS) and to discuss the deadly impact of fentanyl crossing into the U.S. The briefing was held at DPS’ regional headquarters in Weslaco.