Reward Increased to $10,000 For MS-13 Murder, Kidnapping Suspect

Gonzalez-Barahona, affiliated with the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, is wanted for murder and aggravated kidnapping…

AUSTIN – The reward for Carlos Alberto Gonzalez-Barahona, 27, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and this month’s featured fugitive, has been increased to $10,000 for information leading to his capture if the tip comes in during the month of November.

Gonzalez-Barahona, affiliated with the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, is wanted for murder and aggravated kidnapping. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

Gonzalez-Barahona is an El Salvadorian national and has been deported multiple times. On June 18, 2017, he allegedly shot and killed his estranged girlfriend at their apartment located in northwest Houston. After the shooting, Gonzalez-Barahona allegedly kidnapped the driver of a pickup at gunpoint in Brazoria County.

Two days later on June 20, he abandoned the truck off of Highway 59 in Wharton County. Since then, Gonzalez-Barahona may have fled into Mexico. Harris County has filed a murder warrant, and Brazoria County has issued an aggravated kidnapping warrant. Crime Stoppers of Houston is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the suspect’s charging and/or arrest.

Gonzalez-Barahona is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has a tattoo of a star on his left elbow; “Houston” on the back of his left arm; “Texas” on the back of his right arm; “Gonzalez” on his upper back; “281” on his left arm; “713” on his right arm; and numerous other tattoos. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, see his wanted bulletin.

One offender from the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program is featured each month in hopes the higher reward money from the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division will generate additional tips.

The higher reward amount will only be paid if the tip comes in the same month the fugitive is featured. So far in 2018, Texas Crime Stoppers has paid $31,500 in total rewards for anonymous tips that resulted in arrests.

To be eligible for the cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the three following methods:

• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
• Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture.
• Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).

All tips are anonymous – regardless of how they are submitted – and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.

DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and Sex Offender lists. You can find the current lists – with photos – on the DPS website.

Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.