AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday touted the Office of the Attorney General’s Sex Offender Fugitive Apprehension Unit, which recently marked its 7,000th arrest since it was founded in 2003.

“This is an incredible achievement, and a strong message to the most heinous wrong-doers of this state that you can run, but you certainly can’t hide,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “The OAG is blessed to have some of the most dedicated investigators in the state, each one ensuring that no stone goes unturned in pursuit of those who have sought to evade justice for their crimes.”

The unit was created with the specific mission of locating and arresting convicted child sex offenders who violate conditions of their parole and was originally composed of five investigators and one criminal analyst based in Austin. In 2005, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit’s mission was expanded to include locating and arresting sex offenders who fail to maintain the state’s mandated sex offender registration requirements in “Operation Missing Predator.”

 In 2009, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and began receiving referrals for missing/endangered children. In 2010, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit expanded its mission to include convicted sex offenders with adult victims. Additionally, in 2010, the unit began assisting DPS with the 10 Most Wanted List. In 2011, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit began assisting local law enforcement agencies with sex offender compliance operations and started monitoring TDCJ flat discharge registered sex offenders.

Today, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit consists of 24 investigators, four criminal analysts, and two office managers located in three regional offices, Austin, Arlington, and Houston. Additionally, the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit has a Command Staff consisting of one Major and one Captain.