Police: $7,500 reward for capture of escaped sex offender

The Texas Department of Public Safety is issuing a $7,500 reward for any information that leads to the capture of Fernando Thompson, 57.

DPS said Thompson, a classified as a sexually violent predator, removed his ankle monitor and escaped from an Austin halfway house on November 24.

Thompson has also been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list. He is wanted for felony failure to comply with civil commitment requirements and is considered at high risk to reoffend. 

DPS said Thompson's criminal history includes aggravated sexual assault of a child and sexual assault. He also has ties to the Austin, Beaumont/Vidor and Reno, Nevada areas, as well as Florida.

Thompson is described as a 5'4, weighing 175 pounds, with a dimple on his chin, and known to wear glasses.

Authorities said Thompson is possibly driving a silver 1997 Chevrolet Lumina with Texas license plate GCL-5976.

To be eligible for the cash rewards, DPS said there are five different ways to provide anonymous tips:

  *   Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
  *   Text the letters DPS - followed by your tip - to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone.
  *   Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture.