Texas DPS Announces Capture of '10 Most Wanted' Fugitive in Tarrant County

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the arrest of Carlos Venegas Ortiz, a fugitive on the state’s “10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants” list, in Tarrant County on Wednesday.

Ortiz, 46, a Mexican national, was wanted out of Tarrant County since October 2024 on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a young child. He was taken into custody at an apartment complex in Haltom City.

The arrest was made in coordination with special agents from DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division, officers from the Haltom City Police Department and members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force. A reward will be paid through Texas Crime Stoppers for information leading to Ortiz’s capture.

Ortiz has a criminal history in Tarrant County dating back to 2008, including arrests for assault causing bodily injury to a family member and driving while intoxicated, according to DPS.

So far in 2025, authorities have arrested 21 individuals from the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants lists — including six sex offenders and seven criminal illegal immigrants. DPS has paid out $25,000 in rewards this year for tips that led to arrests.

Texas Crime Stoppers, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, offers cash rewards to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of a fugitive listed on the state’s most wanted lists. To remain eligible for a reward, tips must be submitted through one of the following methods:

• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).

• Submit a tip via the DPS website by selecting the appropriate fugitive.

• Submit a tip through the DPS Facebook page under the “Submit a Tip” section.

All tips are anonymous, and tipsters will receive a tip number instead of using a name.

DPS works with local law enforcement agencies to compile and maintain the state’s most wanted lists. Photos and information on current fugitives are available at www.dps.texas.gov.

Authorities urge the public not to attempt to apprehend fugitives listed, as they are considered armed and dangerous.