The Most Wanted Men From Each Texas DPS Most Wanted List

I obey the laws in Texas. Why? Because I don't want to be behind bars. There is nothing sexy, there is nothing noteworthy, there is nothing that makes me believe being in jail makes me someone to be feared. There are some who believe otherwise. Good for them, it's just not for me. So no, I can't empathize with someone who is on the run from Texas law enforcement and the constant worry and fear of being turned in. These three men are on the run now and are the most wanted in each DPS category, Top 10, Sex Offender and Criminal Illegal Immigrant.

These fugitives should be considered Armed and Dangerous! Never try to apprehend a fugitive yourself.

Between the Texas Department of Public Safety's 10 Most Wanted, 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders and 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant list, there is $15,500 in reward money available for their capture. The charges range from parole violations, to murder, to failure to register as a sex offender and other offenses.

Top Men Wanted by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Top 10 Most Wanted - Raul Herrera, Jr. - $7,500 Reward

Raul Herrera, Jr., is affiliated with the Tango Vallucos gang and has also been affiliated in the past with the Texas Syndicate gang. In addition to having ties to the Rio Grande Valley area, including McAllen, Herrera also has ties to Mexico. In 1990, Herrera was convicted of two counts of Aggravated Assault and subsequently sentenced to ten years’ confinement. In 2002, he was convicted in federal court of Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, for which he was sentenced to eleven years’ confinement and nine years’ confinement, served concurrently. In 2014, he was convicted of Money Laundering and subsequently sentenced to three years’ confinement. On May 4, 2023, warrants were issued out of Hidalgo County for Herrera’s arrest for Aggravated Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Assault Causes Bodily Injury of a Family Member, and Violation of Bond/Protective Order.

Raul Herrera, Jr. - Texas Department of Public Safety

Top 10 Most Sex Offender - Cecil Colby Smith - $3,000 Reward

Cecil Smith is a convicted sex offender required to register quarterly. He has ties to Dallas and Amarillo, Texas, and also to the state of Oklahoma. In 2002, Smith was convicted of Violation of a Protective Order/Assault/Stalking and was given four years' probation. In 2003, he was convicted of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Sexual Assault of a Child after incidents involving a 13-year-old girl. He received three 5-year sentences in TDCJ. In 2011, he was convicted of Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and received two 8-year sentences. He was discharged from TDCJ in 2017. On August 24, 2021, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for Smith's arrest for Child Abuse by Injury. Additionally, on December 9, 2021, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Cecil Colby Smith - Texas Department of Public Safety

Top 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant - Luis Perez Mendoza - $5,000 Reward

Luis Perez Mendoza is a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico with ties to Montgomery County, including the city of Conroe, Texas. Mendoza has numerous arrests out of Montgomery County dating back to the early 2000s to include Aggravated Robbery, Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled with Intent of Bodily Injury, Assault Causes Bodily Injury to a Family Member, Terroristic Threat, Evading Arrest/Detention with Vehicle, and Manufacture/Deliver/Sell/Possession of a Controlled Substance. In March 2012, Mendoza was removed from the United States. In April 2020, Mendoza was convicted of Illegal Re-Entry by a Deported Alien After a Felony Conviction and was removed from the United States. In September 2022, he was arrested by Conroe Police Department for Interference with Public Duties and Assault of a Public Servant. He subsequently bonded out of jail and was released in October 2022. In January 2023, Mendoza was convicted in Montgomery County of Felony Assault of a Public Servant and sentenced to 3 years’ probation. Since February 7, 2023, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has issued warrants for his arrest for Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact and Probation Violation (Original Offense: Assault of a Public Servant).

Luis Perez Mendoza - Texas Department of Public Safety

How You Can Help Law Enforcement

It's very simple, if you have any information that could lead to the arrest of these men, contact Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). You can also submit any information through the Texas 10 Most Wanted WEBSITE, Texas 10 Most Wanted FACEBOOK PAGE or the Texas DPS mobile app (Android, iPhone). Your information will remain anonymous. If your information leads to the arrest of any of these fugitives, you could be eligible for the reward.

Get our free mobile app

Know What These Flag Colors Mean Before Heading to a Texas Beach

When visiting a beach this summer, you'll notice some different colored flags at a guard station or on the beach. Here's what those colors mean.

Gallery Credit: Canva

The Forbidden Words for Naming a Business in Texas

You can name your business just about any name you want. However, that name can't be deceitful or misrepresent what your business is or it will be rejected in the State of Texas.

Gallery Credit: unsplash.com