Two of Texas' Most Wanted Captured in Houston and Waco

Authorities arrested Carl Hegert and Brien Keith Coleman, who were on the state's 10 Most Wanted lists.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:47am

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Two of Texas' 10 Most Wanted fugitives have been captured in separate arrests in Houston and Waco. Carl Hegert, a registered sex offender, was arrested in Houston on February 18th, while Brien Keith Coleman, wanted for indecency with a child, was arrested in Waco on February 23rd. The arrests were made by a joint effort between the Texas Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement, and U.S. Marshals.

Why it matters

The capture of these two high-profile fugitives is a win for public safety in Texas. Both men were wanted for serious crimes, including sexual offenses against children. Their arrests demonstrate the state's commitment to apprehending its most dangerous criminals and keeping communities safe.

The details

Carl James Hegert, 40, was arrested at an apartment complex in Houston. He had been wanted since October 2025 for larceny and failure to register as a sex offender. Brien Keith Coleman, 39, was arrested following a traffic stop in Waco. He had been wanted since December 2025 for indecency with a child by sexual contact.

  • Hegert was arrested on February 18, 2026 in Houston.
  • Coleman was arrested on February 23, 2026 in Waco.

The players

Carl James Hegert

A 40-year-old Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender who has been convicted of crimes including theft of a firearm, sexual assault of a child, and failure to register as a sex offender.

Brien Keith Coleman

A 39-year-old Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive who was wanted for indecency with a child by sexual contact.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

The state law enforcement agency that oversees the Texas 10 Most Wanted lists and coordinated the arrests of Hegert and Coleman.

U.S. Marshals

Federal law enforcement agency that assisted in the arrests through the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force and Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.

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The takeaway

The successful apprehension of these two dangerous fugitives demonstrates the effectiveness of the Texas 10 Most Wanted program and the collaborative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement to keep Texans safe from violent criminals and sexual predators.