Reward offered for violent sex offender with ties to Maypearl

Police are searching for violent sex offender Charles Sprague, 44, who escaped from a halfway house in Fort Worth on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a violent sex offender who has ties in Maypearl.

According to the DPS, Charles Raymond Sprague, 44, cut off his ankle monitoring device and escaped a halfway house in Fort Worth shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. His criminal history convictions include aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated kidnapping.

"He attended Maypearl High School and is believed to still have family ties in the area. He was originally convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault in addition to Aggravated Kidnapping causing Bodily Injury/Sexual Abuse and is considered dangerous," the DPS stated in a press release.

He was required to participate in the civil commitment program in 2010.

The DPS added Sprague to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list and is offering a $2,000 cash reward for information leading to his capture.

"He is wanted for felony failure to comply with civil commitment requirements and is considered at high risk to reoffend. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous," the DPS stated in a press release Thursday. "Sprague is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds. He has previously been employed as a cook and laborer."

The North Richland Hills Police Department believes Sprague may be responsible for a robbery and kidnapping around noon on Thursday.

"The North Richland Hills Police Department is currently investigating an aggravated robbery/aggravated kidnapping that occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, in the 5200 block of Rufe Snow Drive," the North Richland Hills Police Department stated in a press release.

"The suspect approached the victim at approximately noon in the parking lot, and confronted her by displaying a handgun. The victim was forced to get into her vehicle, and the suspect drove from the location. The suspect drove the vehicle behind a vacant building in the 6500 block of Iron Horse Drive, where he eventually released the victim. The suspect fled the location in the victim’s vehicle."

A description offered by the victim stated the suspect was an approximately 45 year of age male, tall with a thin build, white hair, blue jeans, and brown shoes, carrying a backpack. He is believed to be either Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic with a very dark complexion.

The vehicle stolen was a gray 2008 Toyota 4 Runner with Texas license plate number CYF1075.

"The police are looking into a possible connection between this offense and the escape from a Fort Worth halfway house of Charles Sprague. If you have information on the location of the suspect or the escaped sex offender, you are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement agency (9-1-1) immediately," the release stated.

The DPS stated Sprague is "a Native American, 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, dark jeans, white sneakers and carrying a clear backpack."

Click here for more information about eligibility for the cash reward.