Absconded sex offender captured in New Mexico

Fernando Thompson, 57, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive, is now in custody after being captured Friday morning in Albuquerque, N.M. Thompson was wanted for felony failure to comply with civil commitment requirements after he removed his ankle monitor on Nov. 24 and fled from an Austin halfway house. The arrest was not the result of a tip and no reward will be paid.

An Albuquerque Police Department officer arrested Thompson following a random traffic stop at approximately 3 a.m. CT Friday, and was transported to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque. His criminal history includes aggravated sexual assault of a child and sexual assault. In June 2005, Thompson was required to participate in the civil commitment program. For more information about his arrest, see his captured bulletin at: http://www.dps.texas.gov/Texas10MostWanted/fugitiveDetails.aspx?id=311.

So far in 2015, DPS and other agencies have arrested 29 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders, including 20 sex offenders, and $79,000 in rewards have been paid for tips that resulted in arrests.