Attorney General Ken Paxton today commended the Fugitive Apprehension Unit of his office for reaching a major milestone since its inception in 2003. Earlier this week, the unit – working jointly with the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force – achieved its 10,000th arrest with the capture of 43-year-old Juan Gabriel Herrera. The undocumented illegal immigrant from Mexico was wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony.
“This major milestone is a testament to our Fugitive Apprehension Unit’s hard work and dedication. These courageous law enforcement officers have successfully arrested 10,000 fugitives and provided invaluable protection for Texans,” Attorney General Paxton said. “I am proud of the bravery and valor they demonstrate every day while keeping Texas strong, safe and just.”
Among the arrests made by the Fugitive Apprehension Unit are 29 dangerous criminals on the Texas DPS Top Ten Most Wanted List.
The Fugitive Apprehension Unit includes 22 investigators, three criminal analysts, two administrative assistants and a five-person command staff who operate in regional offices in Austin, Houston and Arlington. The unit’s mission is to locate and arrest violent fugitives, convicted child sex offenders who violate conditions of their parole, and to arrest sex offenders who fail to comply with the state’s mandated sex offender registration requirements. It also assists in locating missing and endangered runaway children reported by local law enforcement agencies to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
To learn more about the Criminal Investigations Division and its efforts to keep Texans safe, visit the attorney general’s website. Find more information about protecting your children online.