Huntsville Inmate Escapes, Travels 275 Miles Before Capture in South Texas

An inmate at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas, escaped on Sunday, September 8th. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) initiated a manhunt and alerted the public. The inmate was identified as 39-year-old Jesus Roberto Villarreal, who is serving a 63-year sentence for four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault out of Cameron County. In 2015, Villarreal received an additional charge for possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution.

Shortly after his escape, Villarreal was spotted at a convenience store near Huntsville, where he stole a maroon Chevy Malibu. Authorities believed he was heading towards South Texas, possibly attempting to cross the Mexican border. Four hours later, Villarreal was located and taken into custody in Calallen, Texas, approximately 275 miles from the prison.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force apprehended Villarreal in Calallen. OIG investigators also arrested Melissa Lozano for hindering apprehension, though details of her involvement in the escape have not yet been released.

TDCJ expressed gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Corpus Christi Police Department, Robstown Police Department, and the San Antonio Police Department for their assistance. Villarreal now faces felony escape charges.