Panama with Assistance from USMS Extradites to Travis County a Fugitive Wanted for Sexual Abuse of a Young Child

Austin, TX – The U.S. Marshals have received custody of a man who had been sought by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant issued May 23, 2023, by a Magistrate Judge in Travis County for continuous sexual abuse of a young child. 

Henry Torres, 60, of Bastrop, was indicted by a Grand Jury in Travis County on Oct. 31, 2023, on 11 counts that included sexual abuse of child continuous, indecency with a child sexual contact, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and indecency with a child sexual contact.

In June, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Austin Division to locate and apprehend Torres.

On Nov. 12, the U.S. Marshals Service received notification that Torres was intercepted and detained by officials in Panama. The Austin division notified the Travis County District Attorney’s Office on the status of Torres in Central America.

On Nov. 13, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office filed and obtained a provisional arrest warrant for Torres with the Department of Justice.

On Dec 11, Panamanian officials handed Torres over to the USMS for extradition back to the United States. After arriving at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, he was transported and booked into the Travis County Jail. Torres will await further judicial proceedings, with a bond set initially set at $100,000. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Panamanian authorities to secure the extradition of Torres.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

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