Operation Washout – Texas Tide Results in 465 Arrests, 595 Warrants Cleared Across South Texas
Galveston, TX / September 01, 2026 – The U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Galveston announced today the successful conclusion of Operation Washout – Texas Tide, a 30-day, multiagency enforcement initiative that resulted in 465 arrests and the clearance of 595 warrants across Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, and surrounding counties.
Conducted from July 29 through Aug. 28, Operation Washout – Texas Tide was led and coordinated by the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Galveston, Southern District of Texas, and brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in a sustained effort to identify, locate, and apprehend violent fugitives and other high-risk offenders throughout multiple counties within the Southern District of Texas.
In addition to the arrests and warrants cleared, law enforcement officers participating in Operation Washout – Texas Tide seized 23 firearms, approximately $21,000 in currency, and more than 300 kilograms of narcotics. The operation focused on violent felony offenders, known gang members, firearm-related offenders, narcotics offenders, and individuals wanted on outstanding warrants, while also developing actionable intelligence to support ongoing and future investigations.
“Operation Washout – Texas Tide sends a clear message to wanted individuals throughout the Southern District of Texas: if you commit violent crimes in our communities and attempt to evade justice, Justice Is Coming,” said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Texas T. Michael O’Connor. “These arrests represent dangerous offenders removed from our streets, outstanding warrants resolved, and communities made safer. That is the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service, and it is a mission strengthened every day by the commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
The operation was coordinated across a broad geographic area by GCVOFTF-Galveston, which worked with participating agencies to identify and prioritize targets, coordinate enforcement activity, share intelligence, and direct resources toward offenders presenting significant threats to public safety.
“The success of Texas Tide was built upon sustained coordination and the willingness of our partner agencies to bring their personnel, intelligence, resources, and local expertise together in pursuit of a common objective,” said Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Regino Quintero, who oversees U.S. Marshals Service operations throughout the Galveston and surrounding areas. “GCVOFTF-Galveston led an aggressive 30-day enforcement effort, but an operation of this scope is only successful when our partners are fully engaged. The 465 arrests, 595 warrants cleared, and significant seizures achieved during Texas Tide reflect the professionalism and commitment of every agency and every law enforcement officer who contributed to this operation.”
Operation Washout – Texas Tide brought together 16 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, combining fugitive investigative expertise with local intelligence, specialized enforcement capabilities, and established partnerships throughout the region. The multi-agency approach allowed investigators to pursue offenders whose criminal activity crossed jurisdictional boundaries while simultaneously developing information for additional investigations and enforcement activity.
Participating agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Galveston; Homeland Security Task Force Fugitive Investigative Strike Team; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Galveston County Constable’s Office Precinct 1; Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office; Chambers County Sheriff’s Office; Galveston Police Department; Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 2; Texas City Police Department; La Marque Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Board of Criminal Justice, Office of Inspector General; Chambers County District Attorney’s Office; Galveston County District Attorney’s Office; and Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.
The operation also underscores the central role of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Galveston in coordinating fugitive apprehension efforts throughout its area of responsibility. By bringing together federal authorities and state and local partners under a coordinated enforcement strategy, the task force was able to direct resources toward high-priority offenders while maintaining the flexibility to act on new intelligence and enforcement opportunities developed throughout the operation.
The U.S. Marshals Service and its federal, state, and local partners remain committed to identifying, locating, and apprehending violent fugitives; disrupting criminal organizations; removing illegal firearms and narcotics from communities; developing actionable intelligence; and working collaboratively to enhance public safety throughout the Southern District of Texas.
Photos of the operations can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3QB3
The U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Galveston, Southern District of Texas, is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners working collaboratively to identify, locate, and apprehend violent fugitives and enhance public safety. Operation Washout – Texas Tide was supported by law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies throughout Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, and Harris counties.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.
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Source: U.S. Marshals Service (usmarshals.gov)
