Gov. Rick Perry announced yesterday the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division is providing additional funding for Texas Crime Stoppers and the Texas Department of Public Safety to increase rewards for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders program to $2,000, with some rewards reaching up to $5,000.
In making the announcement, Perry said Crime Stoppers had created “an effective method for helping citizens take back control of their communities.”
“These rewards will encourage Texans who may have details about these sex offenders to speak up, ensuring that individuals who commit these horrendous crimes in the Lone Star State are apprehended and receive the appropriate punishment,” Perry said.
Texas Crime Stoppers had previously rewarded $1,000 cash to any person who provided information that led to the arrest of one of the sex offenders. With the increased funding, awards will now vary from $2,000 – $5,000 for each offender.
“Sexual assault is a despicable crime, and increasing the rewards will better enable law enforcement to apprehend sex offenders who have preyed upon innocent victims and escaped arrest,” DPS Director Steven C. McCraw said.
Since the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders program began in July 2010, 12 arrests have been made, with seven arrests coming from tips. A total of $13,300 in rewards has been paid to tipsters.
In 2010, Perry announced increased rewards to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives program from $1,000 to $5,000, with some rewards reaching up to $50,000. Since the reward increase, 24 arrests have been made, and $58,000 in rewards has been paid to tipsters.
Anyone with information about Texas’ Most Wanted sex offenders or fugitives can provide anonymous tips by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), or by texting the letters DPS – followed by the tip – to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone.
To view Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders and Fugitives lists, visit www.txdps.state.tx.us/wanted/index.htm.
