Texas Child Sex Offender Captured in Nicaragua After 26 Years on the Run, Extradited to Galveston County
GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas — A convicted child sex offender who fled Texas before sentencing in 2000 has been captured in Nicaragua and extradited to Galveston County after spending more than 26 years as an international fugitive.
Roberto Moran Perez was returned to Texas on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, following a coordinated international effort involving the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of State.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Perez was convicted in 2000 of aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.
He received prison sentences of 16 years and 10 years for the offenses but fled before sentencing could take place, avoiding imprisonment for more than two decades.
International Manhunt Leads Investigators to Nicaragua
Authorities pursued Perez internationally after he fled the United States.
The effort included an INTERPOL Red Notice, an international request to law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person pending extradition or other legal proceedings.
After more than 26 years as a fugitive, Perez was located in Nicaragua and extradited to the United States on October 28.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said the operation involved cooperation among local prosecutors, federal law enforcement agencies and international authorities.
The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office worked alongside the Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Justice and Department of State to coordinate his return.
Perez Awaiting Transfer to Texas Prison
Following his extradition, Perez was booked into the Galveston County jail.
He remains in custody pending transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where he is expected to serve the prison sentences imposed in connection with his child sexual assault and indecency convictions.
The Sheriff’s Office credited the agencies involved for their work in locating and returning Perez to Texas.
“No matter how much time passes or how far a fugitive runs, our commitment to justice remains,” the department said.
