The U.S. Marshals are asking San Antonio residents to keep an eye out for Malachi Christopher Farias, a federal inmate who walked away from a residential reentry center in the city. Officials say Farias failed to show up for a scheduled inmate count on Jan. 15 and is now classified as an escapee, with his last confirmed check-in around 6:25 p.m.
What officials say
According to federal authorities, Farias was convicted in 2024 of conspiracy to transport undocumented people and received a 30-month federal prison sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release. On the evening he disappeared, investigators say he had a visitor, then left the facility before the next head count.
Farias is described as about 5 feet 5 inches tall and roughly 150 pounds. Officials note several scars on the back of his head, a scar on his left leg and multiple tattoos. Anyone who believes they have spotted him or has information about where he might be is urged to call (210) 657-8500, as reported by News 4 San Antonio.
How residential reentry centers work
Residential reentry centers, better known as halfway houses, are privately run facilities under contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They provide supervised, transitional housing and help residents find work while they finish out their sentences in the community. The Bureau of Prisons notes that RRCs use scheduled and random in-house counts and require residents to sign out for approved activities. For security reasons, the agency generally does not publish the precise addresses of these facilities, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
The setup is meant to smooth the path back into everyday life. When someone does not return as required, however, the situation can quickly turn into a fugitive search handled by federal teams.
How to help
The U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is asking anyone with information on Farias' whereabouts to call its tip line at (210) 657-8500 and to avoid approaching him directly. If you believe there is an immediate threat to safety, officials say to call 9-1-1 so local officers can respond.
The Marshals distributed a public appeal, along with identifying photos of Farias, to San Antonio-area outlets as part of their ongoing search, according to News 4 San Antonio.
Legal note
Walking away from federal custody is not just a rule violation; it can be a separate crime. Under federal law, a person who escapes from custody after conviction may face additional prison time; see 18 U.S.C. A7 751 for the statute. The U.S. Marshals Service is the lead agency for tracking down federal escapees, working through multiagency units such as the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, which coordinates with local partners across the Western District of Texas.
Investigators say the search for Farias is ongoing and are again urging anyone with tips to call the Marshals' tip line rather than confronting him. Authorities say they will release additional information if there are new developments in the case.
