The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in finding an alleged murderer from El Paso.
Elijah Turner Reyes, a 24-year-old from El Paso, has joined the state’s 10 Most Wanted fugitives, according to a press release from Texas DPS. Reyes is a member of the violent “Bloods” gang and is accused of murder.
Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for Reyes’ arrest.
Reyes is 6 feet tall and weighs nearly 150 pounds. He has numerous tattoos – including a red “X” below his left eye, “P” next to his right eye, “Omerta” on his left temple, lips and a “16” on the right side of his neck, three crosses on his chest, a Glock logo on his right hand, “387” on his right bicep, and “Kila” on his right wrist.
Reyes has been wanted by the El Paso Police Department since May 22 for murder, according to the release. On June 16, El Paso County also issued arrest warrants for failure to appear on charges of burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and assaulting a pregnant woman.
The suspect has a long criminal history in El Paso County. He is a “confirmed member” of the Piru gang, aligned with the Bloods.
Reyes was arrested on two charges of assaulting a peace officer or judge in November 2018, according to jail records. Reyes was also convicted of aggravated robbery in 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice released him in January 2024.
Days after his release, Reyes landed back in jail for a parole violation in July 2023, for assaulting a pregnant woman in September 2023, and for home burglary and drug possession on January 2, 2024, according to jail records.
DFW’s Most Wanted
Texas DPS is also searching for several “Most Wanted” suspects with ties to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Stephen Joseph Vess, a 40-year-old Mabank man, is on the “10 Most Wanted” list for sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. He was arrested for sexual assault of a child in August 2014, but bonded out and failed to appear in court.
Gregory Jon Pecina Jr., a 41-year-old Grand Prairie man, is on the “10 Most Wanted Sex Offender” list for failure to register as a sex offender, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and a parole violation. He had been convicted in 2014 for assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
Cecil Colby Smith, a 42-year-old Dallas man, is also among the most wanted sex offenders for failure to register as a sex offender and child abuse by injury. Smith has previous charges of murder, aggravated sexual assault of a child, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and deadly conduct.
Michael Yurit Zevallos Ramos, a 41-year-old Lancaster man, is on the “10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Aliens” list for continuous sex abuse of a child younger than 14, and indecency with a child by sexual contact. He came to America illegally from Peru.
Marvin Ernesto Castaneda, a 50-year-old Dallas man, is also among the most wanted criminal illegals for sexual assault of a child. He was convicted in 1997 of tampering with a government record and returned to his country of origin, El Salvador. And yet, the Dallas Police Department arrested him again in 2024 for child sex assault, and he bonded out of jail.
Angel Brahayan Guerrero-Gallegos, a 27-year-old Fort Worth man, also made the list for two charges of indecent exposure to a minor and a probation violation for assault. The Burleson Police Department arrested him in 2022 for assault. The Fort Worth Police Department also issued warrants in 2024 for indecent exposure. Gallegos came to America illegally from Mexico.
These suspects are considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities are asking the public to share any information about the suspects. To be eligible for a reward, residents should submit a tip online, through the link on the department’s Facebook page, or call Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-8477.