Top wanted state fugitive arrested in San Benito

SAN BENITO, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — One of the state’s most wanted fugitives was arrested in San Benito, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Jose Angel Leal, 45, was arrested Wednesday morning during a traffic stop for a vehicle license plate violation.

Leal was listed as Texas DPS 10 Most Wanted Fugitives on a parole violation, according to the DPS website.

During the traffic stop, San Benito police learned Leal was driving a stolen vehicle from a nearby jurisdiction.

It was also learned that Leal provided false identification to the officer who pulled him over, according to San Benito police.

Police later discovered Leal was active on the Texas DPS 10 Most Wanted Fugitives in the State list.

In 2012, Leal was first convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member and theft of property. He was sentenced to 10 months confinement for each offense.

Leal was convicted a second time in 2012 of assault family/household member with previous conviction and sentenced to two years in confinement. In 2016 he was convicted of the same crime and sentenced to 10 years.

He was released on parole in July 2023.

Leal was wanted since December 2023 when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for parole violation.

The DPS website adds Leal has been previously charged for murder, sexual assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault in retaliation and aggravated assault causes serious bodily injury.

Additional charges Leal has faced include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful restraint expose to serious bodily injury, engaging in organized criminal activity and assault causes bodily injury to family member.

San Benito police announced Leal was arraigned on parole violation, failure to identify providing false info fugitive from justice without bond.

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