In a significant law enforcement operation, Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce, a 20-year-old man from Honduras, was recently arrested in Houston. He had been placed on Texas' 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List and was wanted in Harris County for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Zelaya-Ponce was captured on August 23 by Special Agents from the DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division, alongside Texas Rangers and Texas Highway Patrol Troopers.
Zelaya-Ponce has had encounters with the law before; he was removed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in April of 2021 and later, in June 2024, was issued a final order of removal. His arrest comes as a result of persistent investigative efforts, which included following up on a series of leads. The DPS has made clear to the public that tipsters can confidentially report information on wanted fugitives and may be eligible for cash rewards if the information leads to an arrest. However, in this case, no Crime Stoppers reward will be paid out.
The Governor's Public Safety Office funds the Texas Crime Stoppers program, which promises financial incentives for information leading to the apprehension of individuals on Texas' 10 Most Wanted lists. The initiative has proven successful this year, with 31 arrests including 11 sex offenders, 10 gang members, and 4 criminal illegal immigrants. Tips can be submitted through various channels including a hotline, the DPS website, or through a Facebook tip link.
DPS Special Agents collaborate with local and federal enforcement to track down and capture the criminal illegal immigrant fugitives that make the Texas 10 Most Wanted list. The current lists and photos of these individuals can be found on the DPS website, and the department warns that these fugitives should not be approached by civilians as they are considered to be armed and dangerous.
