Austin News

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has named Carlos Jose Ayala Morales as the Featured Fugitive for March. Ayala Morales, 43, is a convicted repeat sex offender from Houston. The reward for information leading to his arrest is set at $6,000 if the tip is received within this month.

Ayala Morales has been wanted in Harris County since February 2025 on charges of attempted indecency with a child by sexual contact. His criminal history includes a conviction in 2000 for burglary and multiple convictions in 2018 for evading arrest and indecency with children following incidents involving minors aged between eight and fourteen years old. He was sentenced to seven years of confinement for each offense, served concurrently, and was released from a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility in 2024.

Described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds, Ayala Morales has tattoos on his abdomen, back, right hand, and both arms.

Texas Crime Stoppers, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, offers cash rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of fugitives listed among Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders or Criminal Illegal Immigrants. As of this year, DPS along with other agencies have arrested thirteen individuals from these lists including three sex offenders and four criminal illegal immigrants. A total of $20,000 has been paid out in rewards for tips that resulted in arrests.

To qualify for cash rewards, informants must submit tips through designated channels while maintaining anonymity. They will receive a tip number instead of using their name.

DPS investigators collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to determine which fugitives are included on the most wanted lists. Current lists are available online with photos.