Officials in Texas announced Sunday that they are offering $130,000 for information leading to the capture of a 38-year-old illegal alien from Mexico who is wanted for allegedly murdering five of his neighbors.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said his office was offering a $55,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Francisco Oropesa. The FBI then announced that it was adding $25,000 to the reward.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott subsequently announced that the state would add an additional $50,000 to the reward, bringing the total to $130,000.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the five victims that were taken in this senseless act of violence,” said Governor Abbott. “I continue working with state and local officials to ensure they have all available resources to respond to this horrific crime. I thank the men and women in law enforcement who are tirelessly working to ensure this criminal is caught and brought to justice.”
Abbott said that he notified Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw and Texas Military Department (MD) Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer to alert Operation Lone Star soldiers and troopers to be on the lookout for Oropesa and any attempts that he may make to cross the border back into Mexico.
“If you see him, please DO NOT approach him. He is considered armed and dangerous,” the FBI said in a statement. “If you have a tip related to the shooting or Oropeza’s whereabouts please call the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office at 936-653-4367.”
Capers told Breitbart on Sunday that officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed him that Francisco Oropesa is thrice-deported illegal alien who was last removed from the country in 2016.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin subsequently confirmed the news: “I’m told he’s been previously deported, has ‘multiple’ illegal re-entries on his record, and was last encountered by ICE in 2016.”
The FBI’s field office in Houston released new photos of Oropesa on Sunday afternoon that appear to have been taken at three different moments in time because he is wearing different clothing and he appears to be in a government facility in each of the photos.
Here are the newest images of Francisco Oropesa and a prominent tattoo on his left forearm.
Going forward, the subject's last name will be spelled "Oropesa" to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. This remains a fluid investigation. #ClevelandTXShooting pic.twitter.com/ZWUu0FqoMF
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) April 30, 2023