U.S. Marshals Capture Missouri Fugitive Following Del Valle Barricade

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested a man Wednesday morning who was wanted for multiple felony sex offense charges in Newton County, Missouri. 

Joseph Thomas, 49, of Neosha, Missouri, was sought on two warrants issued in the 40th Judicial Court in Newton County, Missouri. The first warrant was issued in February for failure to appear on an original charge of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12. The second warrant was issued in March on a separate charge of rape involving an adult victim.

The Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force in the Springfield Division initiated a fugitive investigation that indicated Thomas may have fled to central Texas and requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Austin Division.   

The investigative leads developed during the investigation directed  task force members  to a residence in the 12200 block of Scarlet Sleeve Way in Del Valle, Texas where Thomas was located Tuesday afternoon. Thomas barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to surrender to authorities. 

The Austin-based task force requested assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team who responded and provided tactical support. Following an approximately 11-hour standoff, Thomas exited the residence and surrendered without incident to SWAT personnel at the front of the residence early Wednesday morning at approximately 2:30 a.m.  

Thomas was transported and booked into the Travis County Jail  where he will await further judicial proceedings and extradition back to Missouri. 

The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force extends its appreciation to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Travis County Emergency Medical Services, and the Austin Police Department SWAT Team, for their support throughout the incident.  The Austin Police SWAT Team was requested to provide additional tactical support as the operation extended into the overnight hours.   

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin: 

Austin Police Department - Tactical Intelligence Unit
Georgetown, Lakeway, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Department
Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations