Seguin, Texas, January 10, 2026
Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders, Melvin Lee Kennon and Baldamar Palacio Martinez, have been captured after extensive collaborative efforts by the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement. Kennon was arrested in Seguin for failing to register as a sex offender, while Martinez was apprehended in San Angelo for similar charges. Both have a history of serious sexual offenses. The Texas 10 Most Wanted program aims to apprehend individuals with outstanding felony warrants.
Seguin, Texas
Two of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders have been apprehended in recent days, following coordinated efforts by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and local law enforcement agencies.
Melvin Lee Kennon Arrested in Seguin
On January 6, 2026, 43-year-old Melvin Lee Kennon was arrested in Guadalupe County after a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Seguin. Kennon, a registered sex offender, had been wanted since September 2025 for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements in Wilson County. In 2007, he was convicted of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to six years in prison. The arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between DPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agents and Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers. No Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for this arrest. More information on Kennon’s capture can be found here.
Baldamar Palacio Martinez Captured in San Angelo
On January 7, 2026, 50-year-old Baldamar Palacio Martinez was arrested in San Angelo. Martinez had been wanted since September 2025 for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements in Tom Green County. In 1997, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released on parole in 2015. Since 2016, Martinez had been convicted of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. The arrest was made by DPS CID Special Agents in collaboration with the San Angelo Police Department. No Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for this arrest. More information on Martinez’s capture can be found here.
Background on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Program
The Texas 10 Most Wanted program is a collaborative effort between the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants for serious crimes. The program includes fugitives, sex offenders, and criminal illegal immigrants. Rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of these individuals, with funds provided by the Governor’s Public Safety Office. In 2025, DPS and other agencies arrested 65 individuals from the Texas 10 Most Wanted lists, including 28 sex offenders and 13 criminal illegal immigrants, with $41,000 in rewards being paid for tips that led to arrests. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about and clicking on the link under their picture.
- Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link under the “About” section.
All tips are anonymous, and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. Authorities advise the public not to attempt to apprehend these fugitives, as they are considered armed and dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who were the two individuals recently arrested in Texas?
Melvin Lee Kennon, 43, was arrested in Guadalupe County on January 6, 2026, and Baldamar Palacio Martinez, 50, was arrested in San Angelo on January 7, 2026. Both were on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list.
What were the charges against Kennon and Martinez?
Both individuals were wanted for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements in their respective counties. Kennon had a prior conviction for sexual assault of a child, and Martinez had a prior conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
How can I provide information about wanted fugitives?
You can provide information by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), submitting a web tip through the DPS website, or submitting a Facebook tip. All tips are anonymous, and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.
Are there rewards for information leading to arrests?
Yes, rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of individuals on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted lists. In 2025, $41,000 in rewards were paid for tips that led to arrests.
What should I do if I see a wanted fugitive?
If you see a wanted fugitive, do not attempt to apprehend them. Instead, contact local law enforcement or the Crime Stoppers hotline to provide information. Fugitives are considered armed and dangerous.
Key Features of the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants for serious crimes, including fugitives, sex offenders, and criminal illegal immigrants. |
| Reward System | Offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office. In 2025, $41,000 in rewards were paid for tips that led to arrests. |
| Tip Submission Methods | Information can be provided via the Crime Stoppers hotline, DPS website, or Facebook tip submission. All tips are anonymous, and tipsters receive a tip number instead of using a name. |
| Safety Advisory | Authorities advise the public not to attempt to apprehend fugitives, as they are considered armed and dangerous. |
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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