Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday touted the Office of the Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit, which recently marked its 7,000th arrest since it was founded in 2003.
“This is an incredible achievement, and a strong message to the most heinous wrong-doers of this state that you can run, but you certainly can’t hide,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “The OAG is blessed to have some of the most dedicated investigators in the state, each one ensuring that no stone goes unturned in pursuit of those who have sought to evade justice for their crimes.”
On April 11, 2016, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit surpassed 7,000 arrests since its inception in 2003.
In 2003, the unit was created with the specific mission of locating and arresting convicted child sex offenders who violate conditions of their parole and was originally composed of five investigators and one criminal analyst based in Austin. In 2005, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit’s mission was expanded to include locating and arresting sex offenders who fail to maintain the state’s mandated sex offender registration requirements in “Operation Missing Predator.”
The Fugitive Apprehension Unit expanded its mission to include pursuing all types of felony warrants, but continues to place an emphasis on targeting violators who have been convicted of a sex offense. Additionally, in 2010, the unit began assisting DPS with the 10 Most Wanted List. In 2011, Fugitive Apprehension Unit began assisting local law enforcement agencies with sex offender compliance operations and started monitoring TDCJ flat discharge sex offenders.
Today, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit consists of over two dozen investigators and support staff in three regional offices – Austin, Arlington, and Houston.