Press Releases

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) welcomed 138 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit Class C-2024 during a graduation ceremony at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. This is the department’s 177th graduating class.

AUSTIN – The man responsible for a series of online school shooting threats is behind bars thanks to a report submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) iWatchTexas program. Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, was arrested and charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Lubbock on Feb. 3, 2025.

AUSTIN – At the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched a new feature on the iWatchTexas Community Reporting System to protect the public from coercion and harassment by foreign adversaries. The new feature allows individuals to indicate their concern is related to foreign influence when submitting a report.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Raymond Trejo is back in custody following his recent arrest. Authorities arrested Trejo in Stilwell, Okla. on March 12. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid in his arrest.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of another fugitive from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Rigoberto Enrique Valencia was taken into custody on Friday, March 14, in Liberty Co. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid in his arrest.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Joseph Harris to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

WESLACO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) seized more than six million dollars’ worth of cocaine in Hidalgo Co. as part of Operation Lone Star.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase patrols on roads beginning this weekend to ensure motorists drive responsibly this spring break and St. Patrick’s Day. March 8 through March 17, the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct its annual Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day traffic enforcement campaign—looking for people who are speeding, not wearing their seat belts, driving while intoxicated or committing other traffic violations.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Carlos Jose Ayala Morales 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) is seeking information on the 1990 murder of Jackie Foster. The reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for her death is now increased to $6,000 if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of another fugitive from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List – this time in San Antonio. Clarence Mfor was arrested on Sunday, March 2. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid in his arrest.

OLDHAM COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) seized over 30 pounds of THC and marijuana—including thousands of vape cartridges—during a traffic stop in Oldham Co.

LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) seized more than 198 pounds of marijuana during an Operation Lone Star (OLS) traffic stop in Webb Co.

WESLACO – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Special Agents working Operation Lone Star (OLS) arrested two criminal illegal immigrants from Mexico, including a previously deported felon, in Hidalgo Co. over the weekend.

KERMIT – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Kermit Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Winkler Co. fugitive Israel Arreola Diaz. The Kermit Police Department is now offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest.