DPS News

February 19, 2020

Recent Press Releases

  • AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is launching Operation Safe Summer – a coordinated initiative to provide enhanced patrols in high-volume pedestrian corridors in central areas of Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth this summer.
  • AUSTIN – As Texas prepares to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds everyone about the iWatchTexas program — a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity or behavior and enhancing safety during World Cup events.
  • AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Victor Ramos Jr. – a child predator with ties to Llano and Burnet counties – is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during June if the tip is received this month.
  • AUSTIN – As Texas prepares to welcome millions of visitors from around the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages Texans and visitors to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to stay safe while traveling and attending World Cup events.
  • AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces approval by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to resume the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver licenses (CDL) and commercial learner permits (CLP) for individuals with H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Workers) status, effective today, June 1, 2026.
  • AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces changes to the state’s commercial driver license (CDL) testing process. Effective today, all Texas CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) knowledge examinations will be administered in English only.
  • AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID), in coordination with the FBI and Dimmitt Co. Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), announces the arrest of a man they believe generated hundreds of AI-generated pornographic images and videos involving local children. Adan Covarrubias, 31, was arrested earlier this month by DPS CID Special Agents and charged with felony possession of computer-generated child pornography – charges made possible under the Senate Bill 20, which passed last session.
  • AUSTIN – Authorities in the Permian Basin have now identified the man they believe violently raped a 49-year-old woman in a mall parking lot in Midland almost 30 years ago. Last month, James Lee Woodard, now 61, was arrested in Big Spring and charged with aggravated sexual assault.