Nearly 15 years after escaping from a Texas prison, José Fernando Bustos-Díaz remains the only Hispanic fugitive currently featured on the U.S. Marshals Service's prestigious 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list, one of the nation's highest-profile law enforcement watchlists reserved for the country's most dangerous criminals.
The 37-year-old Mexican national has been on the run since 2010 after escaping from the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice while serving a 35-year prison sentence for murder. Authorities believe he fled to Mexico, where investigators say he has been receiving assistance from friends and relatives to evade capture.
The U.S. Marshals Service describes Bustos-Diaz as armed and dangerous and is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading directly to his arrest. He is wanted not only for the prison escape but is also considered the prime suspect in a second homicide.
Bustos-Diaz currently stands out as the only Hispanic or Latino fugitive among the 15 individuals currently listed by the Marshals Service. The roster otherwise includes suspects accused of crimes ranging from child rape and first-degree murder to large-scale financial fraud, kidnapping and organized criminal activity.
According to the Marshals Service, Bustos-Diaz escaped from prison in Frio County, Texas, alongside another inmate while serving his sentence for murder. Investigators believe he crossed into Mexico shortly afterward and has remained outside the reach of U.S. authorities ever since.
Authorities describe him as a Hispanic or Latino white male, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds.
He has several distinctive tattoos, including a heart with a cross on his left hand and the names "Vanessa" and "Lizeth" tattooed on his wrists, as well as facial acne scars that may aid identification.
The U.S. Marshals Service created the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program in 1983 to focus investigative resources on offenders considered among the nation's most dangerous. Those selected typically have extensive histories of violence or are accused of crimes posing a significant threat to public safety. Since the program's creation, 248 fugitives have been captured or otherwise had their cases closed, according to the agency's 2026 fact sheet.
The Marshals Service plays a central role in fugitive investigations across the United States, working with federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies. In 2025 alone, the agency arrested or cleared more than 84,000 fugitives and resolved nearly 100,000 warrants, highlighting the scale of its nationwide operations.
Officials continue to urge anyone with information about Bustos-Diaz's whereabouts not to approach him because of his violent history. Instead, tips should be submitted directly to the U.S. Marshals Service or local law enforcement authorities.
