Texas authorities have apprehended another fugitive from the state's 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List in Austin. Anderson Ronaldo Reyes Giron, a 25-year-old from Honduras, was captured outside a game room in north central Austin. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) special agents, Texas Highway Patrol troopers, and officers from the Austin Police Department North Metro Tactical Unit conducted the arrest. Reyes Giron faced charges for deadly conduct in Travis County and for theft of property in Williamson County. He had previously been arrested in 2017 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Texas for alien removal.
The arrest is part of the broader Operation Lone Star initiative, overseen by Governor Greg Abbott in collaboration with federal agencies, including the Trump Administration. Since its commencement, the operation has resulted in over 532,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 52,400 criminal arrests, including 44,500 felony charges. The operation has also made significant drug seizures, notably 668 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The Governor emphasized the impact this has on ensuring community safety in Texas and beyond.
Additionally, a recent traffic stop in Webb County led to the arrest of Albing Pablo Rivera Leal, a 35-year-old from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Rivera Leal was caught transporting cocaine and black tar heroin worth an estimated $205,000. He was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance after a DPS trooper discovered 15 packages of the drugs concealed in a Chevrolet Avalanche.
DPS K-9 units have played a significant role in border security efforts. Last week, a K-9 unit helped apprehend four illegal immigrants from Mexico hiding in thick brush in Webb County. In Val Verde County, a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a convicted felon, Kiin Tuma, from Frisco, who was charged with firearm possession and smuggling of persons.
The Texas National Guard, in conjunction with federal partners, continues to patrol areas vulnerable to illegal border crossings. Their operations, supported by advanced surveillance technologies, have led to multiple arrests. Furthermore, training sessions were recently held to provide K-9 units with improved medical care during operations, reinforcing their valuable contribution to securing the border and assisting in law enforcement activities.
Sergeant William Brooks, involved in riverine patrol operations, highlighted the impact of their patrols in reducing illegal crossings at the Rio Grande River. "We are going to get armed and draw all our necessary equipment for today's mission," he stated. Brooks believes the patrols are effective in deterring illegal activities along the border.
