Previously Deported Child Predator Apprehended by Texas Mounted Patrol on New Year’s Day
A convicted child molester who had been deported multiple times was captured on New Year’s Day after attempting to cross the Texas-Mexico border illegally, authorities announced this week.
Texas Department of Public Safety’s Border Mounted Patrol Unit apprehended 41-year-old Marcio Steven Izaguirre, a Honduran national with a criminal history including child molestation, while he was hiding in thick brush on a private ranch in Maverick County around 10:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
Horse-Mounted Officers Track Fugitive
The arrest came after a drawbridge camera activated, alerting authorities to potential illegal crossings in the area. Horse-mounted Texas DPS officers, working as part of the state’s Operation Lone Star initiative, tracked Izaguirre to his hiding spot south of Del Rio.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas DPS, confirmed that “mounted officers, along with Border Patrol and aided by K-9 ‘Bona,’ apprehended five illegal immigrants on New Year’s Day.” Izaguirre was among those captured in the operation.
What makes this case particularly concerning? Records show Izaguirre has been deported multiple times since 2004 and carries convictions from Cobb County, Georgia, dating back to 2008 for serious offenses including child molestation, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to reports.
Part of Ongoing Border Enforcement
The arrest highlights the continued challenges facing border enforcement agencies. Following his capture, Izaguirre was transferred to U.S. Border Patrol for processing, though details about potential charges weren’t immediately available.
Operation Lone Star, launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, continues to deploy state resources, including mounted patrols, to supplement federal border security efforts. The program has faced both praise for interdicting criminal activity and criticism regarding its scope and cost.
This New Year’s Day arrest serves as a stark reminder that amid the broader debate about immigration policy, the specific challenge of preventing previously deported felons from re-entering the country remains a persistent concern for authorities along the southern border.
