The U.S. Marshals are looking for a man who escaped the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and is expected to be somewhere in Texas.
The man in question is named Pedro Esparza, Jr., and the U.S. Marshals’ Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, headquartered in the Western District of Texas, has issued a warrant for his arrest.
In April 2019, Esparza was sentenced to serve 36 months in federal prison on charges involving escape from federal custody. Following that sentence, he was to serve three more years of supervised release.
But in November of 2021, Esparza yet again escaped federal custody, thus putting yet another count of escaping federal custody onto his rap sheet. At the time of his escape, since he was only a short time away from his officially scheduled release, he was placed in a Residential Re-Entry Center, or “halfway house,” which was meant to help him reintegrate into society.
According to law enforcement officials, Esparza’s last known residence was in Del Rio, Texas, though he also has strong ties in San Antonio.
Law enforcement officials say Esparza has large, distinct, and identifiable tattoos on his chest and right arm. He also has an extensive criminal history which includes a litany of various drug charges. These drug offenses were the impetus for his original arrest.
Through its Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport System, the U.S. Marshals Service is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for transporting federal prisoners to courts, halfway houses, different federal prisons, and other locations. The Marshals are also the primary agency tasked with apprehending federal fugitives. Thus, the Esparza case falls under their jurisdiction, although they can partner with local law enforcement as part of their work.
The manhunt for Esparza has been ongoing since his escape back in November, but now the US Marshals are asking for help from the public in tracking him down.
Anyone with any information that can help law enforcement officials locate Esparza or bring him back into custody should call the U.S. Marshals at (210) 657-8500.
The Del Rio Office of the U.S. Marshals’ Lone Star Fugitive Task Force can be reached directly by calling (830) 703-2075. Those who believe they have seen Esparza in the San Antonio area can call the San Antonio Office at (210) 472-6646.
Those with tips or other information can also submit them to the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center by calling 800-336-0102.
