Texas DPS continues its aggressive pursuit of wanted criminals, arresting fugitive Rigoberto Enrique Valencia in Liberty County after months of tracking his movements

Liberty County, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced the capture of one of the state’s 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants. On Friday, March 14, authorities arrested 20-year-old Rigoberto Enrique Valencia in Liberty County, bringing an end to his time on the run. Valencia, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, had been wanted in Harris County since August 2024 for failure to appear on a charge involving a prohibited weapon.

Valencia’s arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between DPS Special Agents and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. The fugitive was taken into custody in Cleveland, Texas, following a traffic stop. Authorities had been tracking him after he repeatedly failed to comply with legal proceedings. Despite his arrest, no Crime Stoppers reward will be issued in connection with his capture.

According to records, Valencia had a history of encounters with law enforcement. He was first arrested in March 2024 by the Houston Police Department for unlawfully carrying a weapon. Then, in August of the same year, he was arrested again—this time for carrying a prohibited weapon. However, just days after his second arrest, he was released on bond, and he failed to appear for court proceedings later that month. This prompted law enforcement to add him to Texas’ Most Wanted list.

The arrest of Valencia marks another success for DPS and its ongoing efforts to track down dangerous fugitives across the state. So far in 2025, authorities have apprehended 16 fugitives from the Texas 10 Most Wanted lists, including five criminal illegal immigrants and four sex offenders. The program has also paid out $22,000 in rewards to individuals who provided anonymous tips leading to arrests.

The Texas Crime Stoppers program, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, encourages citizens to come forward with information that could help locate fugitives. Tipsters can submit information through a dedicated hotline, the DPS website, or the Crime Stoppers Facebook page. To maintain anonymity, those who provide tips are assigned a number rather than using their name.

DPS continues to work closely with local and federal law enforcement agencies to track down and capture fugitives from the Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. The department warns the public not to engage with these individuals, as they are considered armed and dangerous. For those who want to stay informed about ongoing investigations and active fugitive alerts, updated lists—including photos—are available on the DPS website.

With the arrest of Valencia, authorities are reaffirming their commitment to ensuring public safety. They continue to encourage the community to assist in the apprehension of wanted criminals while reminding Texans that even small pieces of information can lead to significant breakthroughs in these cases.