A Texas 10 Most Wanted offender, Iris Iliana Rodriguez, has been apprehended in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, bringing an end to her six-year run from the law. Rodriguez, 34, was arrested on December 11, 2023, by members of INTERPOL Mexico, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations (CID) Special Agents, and the USMS Country Attaché in Mexico.
Rodriguez had been wanted since January 2015 when warrants were issued for her arrest on charges of three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, three counts of harassment, and one count of unlawful restraint. These charges stemmed from an inappropriate relationship she had engaged in with an 11-year-old girl while working as a counselor in Laredo. The arrest was made possible through the assistance of INTERPOL Mexico, who worked in close collaboration with US law enforcement agencies.
Speaking about the successful capture, the Texas DPS stated, "We are grateful for the efforts and cooperation of our international law enforcement partners, as well as the public, whose tips led to the arrest of this dangerous fugitive. The arrest of Iris Iliana Rodriguez serves as a reminder that no matter how long it takes, we will not rest until fugitives are brought to justice."
Texas Crime Stoppers, a program funded by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division, offers cash rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. In 2023 alone, law enforcement agencies apprehended 46 individuals from the lists, including 23 sex offenders and 12 gang members. Over $111,500 in rewards was paid out for tips that resulted in successful arrests.
To encourage the public's participation in apprehending fugitives, the DPS provides multiple avenues for tipsters to come forward. They can call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), submit a web tip through the DPS website, or provide a Facebook tip by clicking the "SUBMIT A TIP" link on the official page. All tips are treated with utmost anonymity, and tipsters are assigned a unique tip number instead of using their names.
It is important to note that these fugitives are considered armed and dangerous, and individuals are advised not to attempt to apprehend them themselves. Instead, law enforcement agencies work diligently with local authorities to select individuals for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders Lists.
The DPS website provides updated lists of these fugitives, complete with photographs, enabling the public to stay informed and help in bringing these criminals to justice.
