An illegal alien on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List has been apprehended by state authorities.
Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce, 20, was arrested on August 23 in Houston.
Harris County issued a warrant for his arrest on July 24, 2024, for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14.
Zelaya-Ponce, a citizen of Honduras, was caught by Customs and Border Protection after illegally entering the U.S. in April of 2021.
He was given an order of recognizance and released into the interior.
In June of 2024, Zelaya-Ponce was issued a final order of removal, but he remained on the loose in U.S.
LATEST NEWS: Harris Co. Fugitive Added to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Immigrants List (https://t.co/dBA7cN3iEq)
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) August 20, 2024
Texas DPS has added Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up… pic.twitter.com/q2N8BMKCBj
On August 20, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) announced Zelaya-Ponce had been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List.
Three days later, he was in custody.
CAPTURED: Criminal Illegal Immigrant on Most Wanted List Arrested in Houston
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) August 27, 2024
AUSTIN – @TxDPS has captured another fugitive from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List in Houston – just days after he was added to the list. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid… pic.twitter.com/DVQcnLIUvh
“Working off investigative information, DPS Special Agents assigned to the Texas-Anti Gang (TAG) Center, along with the Texas Rangers and DPS Highway Patrol Troopers, located and arrested ZELAYA-PONCE,” TxDPS explained in a statement.
Since Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched the 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants list in June, a number of suspects have been caught.