Karnes County is on high alert as a multi-agency manhunt zeroes in on a suspect deputies say threatened to kill a local district judge along with other members of law enforcement. Authorities have identified the man as Louis Sanchez III, who they say is already wanted on multiple active warrants.
According to Fox San Antonio, the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office has issued warrants for Terroristic Threat Against a Peace Officer/Judge and Failure to Appear/Capias Assault Causes Bodily Injury. A photo of Sanchez, credited to the sheriff’s office, was circulated in local media on April 29 as word of the warrants first went public.
Deputies say Sanchez should be considered armed and dangerous and has a history of violent criminal offenses. He was last known to be staying in the Falls City area of Karnes County and “moves around frequently,” with multiple law enforcement agencies now coordinating the search, KSAT reports.
How to help
Authorities are asking the public to stay alert but not to play hero. Anyone who has information on where Sanchez might be is urged to contact the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office at (830) 780-3931. If he is spotted and appears to pose an immediate threat, officials say to call 911 instead of approaching him. The sheriff’s office non-emergency contact details and office location are listed on the Karnes County website for anyone who wants to verify before calling in a tip.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, a threat aimed at a judge or peace officer can be prosecuted as a state jail felony under Tex. Penal Code §22.07. That offense can carry a sentence of roughly 180 days to two years in a state jail facility, depending on the circumstances. The statute treats threats against public servants as more serious than ordinary misdemeanor threats.
What we know so far
As of the most recent local coverage, there were no reports that Sanchez had been arrested, and authorities have not publicly released a detailed timeline of the alleged statements that led to the warrants, Fox San Antonio reports. Officials are stressing that anyone who sees Sanchez should keep their distance and contact law enforcement immediately.
