The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Amarillo man may be in Lubbock

The reward has been increased for an Amarillo man already identified as one of Texas’ Most Wanted Sex Offenders because he is now accused of additional sex crimes against children.

Jose Manuel Vasquez, 50, is now wanted in connection with 20 cases of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Investigators believe that Vasquez may be in Lubbock or Amarillo. The DPS Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Marshals Service are assisting the Amarillo Police Department in the search for Vasquez.

The Governor’s Criminal Justice Division authorized increasing the reward from $1,000 to $3,000—the first time that amount has been offered since the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders program began in July.

This case began when a young woman recently went to authorities alleging that Vasquez had sexually assaulted her when she was a child. Additional victims have been discovered during the ongoing investigation. Vasquez fled his residence on July 16 when a relative confronted him about the allegations and he is now considered a fugitive.

The Most Wanted Sex Offender program identifies violent sex offenders who have either violated parole or failed to comply with sex offender registration. Some of the victims were children. These offenders are now fugitives and are considered a threat to our communities. DPS, along with its local, state and federal partners, will actively pursue these sex offenders.

The 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders are listed on the DPS website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/wanted/sexoffenders/topTenSexOffenders.htm# and have last known addresses in the following cities:

• Amarillo

• Houston (3 suspects)

• El Paso (2 suspects)

• Grand Prairie

• Lufkin

• Rowlett

• Whitney

The public should not try to apprehend these criminals as they are considered dangerous. Anyone with information on these offenders can provide anonymous tips in three different ways:

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

• Text the letters DPS—followed by your tip—to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone.

• Submit a tip through the DPS website by selecting the sex offender you have information about, and under their picture is a link to submit a web tip. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/wanted/sexoffenders/topTenSexOffenders.htm#