An anonymous caller, a cash reward and some quick work by Texas officers ended with the arrest of a man authorities describe as a child sex trafficker and gang member at a Harris County motel on Tuesday. Officials identified the suspect as 27-year-old Justin Ramon Statum and said he had outstanding warrants and additional allegations in Harris County.
In a post by TxDPS - West Texas Region, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said special agents followed up on the anonymous tip and tracked Statum to a Harris County motel, where he was taken into custody. DPS reported that the tipster was later given a cash reward for the information that led to the arrest. The agency also described Statum as affiliated with the Bloods and noted that he had been listed as a featured fugitive on state wanted lists.
How Tip Rewards Work In Texas
According to Texas Crime Stoppers, reward payments are handled through partnerships involving state agencies and the Governor’s Public Safety Office and are intended to encourage anonymous reporting. The Crime Stoppers site lists a 24-hour hotline and online tip options, and callers use a tip number instead of a name to help preserve anonymity. Those systems are regularly used by DPS and local partners to pursue fugitives and registered sex offenders.
Alleged Prior Offenses And Outstanding Warrant
As outlined by TxDPS - West Texas Region, Statum was discharged from prison after serving time on charges tied to child sex trafficking and prostitution, with the DPS post listing his release date as January 2025. The same post stated that he was wanted out of Harris County on a warrant for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. DPS did not provide details on any new indictments or court filings connected to the motel arrest.
Legal Note
Aggravated robbery, particularly when a deadly weapon is alleged, is an elevated felony under Texas law and can carry significant prison time if proven at trial. For the statutory language, see Texas Penal Code §29.03 on Justia.
State officials continue to emphasize that tipsters can remain anonymous and that reward money is a built-in feature of Texas Most Wanted and Crime Stoppers programs. DPS has recently reported that its Most Wanted efforts led to dozens of captures in 2025 and about $41,000 in total payouts to people whose information resulted in arrests. Local authorities in Harris County are handling Statum’s booking and any formal charges as the case moves through the courts, and DPS materials urge anyone with information on fugitives to use the Crime Stoppers hotline or the official online tip tools.
