The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to rescue missing children and arrest dangerous fugitives, including those on its most wanted criminal illegal immigrants list.
With April recognized as “Child Abuse Prevention Month,” DPS announced that its officers have already rescued more than 600 children this year through the Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) Program.
The IPC Program trains officers to spot victims of exploitation, missing children, and other crimes against minors. Their goal is to find high-risk threats and protect vulnerable kids across Texas.
Child Rescues Through Operation Lone Star
Thanks to Governor Greg Abbott’s border security program, Operation Lone Star, DPS troopers have also rescued over 900 children who were illegally brought into the United States through Texas during the Biden administration. These rescues have provided hope and safety for many children who might otherwise have faced dangerous situations.
Arrests of Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminals
Alongside child rescues, DPS has made big strides in arresting fugitives. So far this year, DPS and partner agencies have captured 21 of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted fugitives, including sex offenders and criminal illegal immigrants. They also reported that $25,000 in rewards has been paid out to tipsters whose information led to these arrests.
Notable Arrests
One recent arrest involved Carlos Ortiz, a 46-year-old Mexican national who was wanted since October 2024 in Tarrant County for continuous sexual abuse of a young child.
Thanks to a tip through Crime Stoppers, Ortiz was found at an apartment in Haltom City and arrested by a team including DPS special agents, Haltom City police, and the U.S. Marshals.
Ortiz has a criminal history in Tarrant County, having been previously arrested for assault causing bodily injury to a family member and driving while intoxicated.
Another fugitive, 25-year-old Anderson Ronaldo Reyes Giron, a Honduran national, was captured in north-central Austin. He was wanted for deadly conduct (discharging a firearm) in Travis County and property theft in Williamson County.
Giron had a previous arrest under the Trump administration in 2017 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and was re-arrested in 2024 by Austin police before being released on bond.
How Crime Stoppers Supports Arrests
The Texas governor’s Public Safety Office funds Crime Stoppers to offer cash rewards to anyone who helps capture fugitives. Tipsters can provide anonymous tips by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), submitting information through the DPS website, or using the DPS Facebook page.
DPS assures that all tips are anonymous, and those who submit tips receive a number instead of giving their name.
As some offenders are captured and removed from the Most Wanted lists, new ones are added.
New Additions to Texas 10 Most Wanted Lists
Two recent additions to the lists are:
- Rondarrius Evans, 21, from New Boston, added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. He is wanted for two capital murder charges and drug charges in Bowie County since August 2024.
- Rodolfo Martinez Jr., 42, added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. He is wanted in Harris County for indecency with a child by sexual contact since November 2024.
Cash rewards are offered for information leading to their arrests.