Texas Manhunt Intensifies for Teenage Sex Offender Who Vanished After Conviction

Teen Sex Offender Eludes Authorities for Months

A statewide manhunt has intensified for a 19-year-old convicted child sex offender who disappeared after violating his probation and failing to register as required by law. The Texas Department of Public Safety has named Victor Manuel Ramos Jr., 19, of Horseshoe Bay, as the featured fugitive of June 2026. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during June if the tip is received this month.

In April 2025, Ramos was convicted in Burnet County of sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact for an incident involving a 16-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 10 years of probation. Rather than complying with his legal obligations, Ramos vanished from the system within months of his conviction.

Victor Manuel Ramos Jr., 19, from Horseshoe Bay, has been wanted out of Llano County since Aug. 15, 2025, for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. On Aug. 21, 2025, a warrant was also issued out of Burnet County for his arrest for a probation violation, stemming from his original charges from April 2025.

Fugitive Profile and Known Connections

Ramos Jr. is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. Ramos Jr. is said to have ties to Horseshoe Bay, Cottonwood Shores, Marble Falls. Ramos Jr.'s last known location was Cottonwood Shores, and he also has ties to Burnet and Llano Counties, including the cities of Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay. These Central Texas communities represent a network of potential hiding spots where the fugitive may seek refuge among familiar contacts.

The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when convicted sex offenders fail to comply with registration requirements. Sex offender registration laws exist to help communities track the whereabouts of individuals who pose potential risks to public safety, particularly children. When offenders like Ramos disappear from the system, it creates significant public safety concerns and complicates efforts to monitor their activities.

Statewide Enforcement Efforts Show Results

So far in 2026, DPS and other agencies have arrested 36 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants, including 27 sex offenders and five gang members – with $50,500 in rewards being paid for tips that yielded arrests. This track record demonstrates the effectiveness of public participation in capturing dangerous fugitives.

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). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the DPS website or Facebook. The enhanced reward amount during June reflects the priority law enforcement places on capturing Ramos before he potentially commits additional crimes.

Community Safety Implications

The disappearance of a convicted child sex offender creates ripple effects throughout affected communities. Parents and schools in the Horseshoe Bay area and surrounding regions must remain vigilant while authorities work to locate Ramos. His failure to register means law enforcement cannot track his movements or warn communities about his presence.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges in monitoring sex offenders after conviction. While probation and registration requirements are designed to provide oversight and protect public safety, they rely on offender compliance. When individuals like Ramos choose to flee rather than follow court orders, it transforms a monitoring situation into an active manhunt. The success of similar cases this year suggests that public awareness and tip reporting remain crucial tools in bringing fugitive sex offenders back into custody.