Less than 24 hours after being listed on the Department of Public Safety's Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, Jacob Aaron Kessler, from Nacogdoches, has been apprehended.

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READ MORE: Nacogdoches Man Added To Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List

Details of Kessler's Capture

The convicted sex offender was captured on Friday, July 18, in Houston

Working off investigative information, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force led an operation to locate and arrest Kessler.

Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Texas Highway Patrol (THP), Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Pasadena Police Department, and the Harris County Precinct 1 and Precinct 5 Constables’ Offices assisted in the fugitive operation.

Kessler was transported to Nacogdoches and booked later in the day into the Nacogdoches County Jail. He was charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, all charges are Class 1 Felonies.

Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office
Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office
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Kessler's Criminal Background

In 2011, Kessler was convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact following incidents with a 15-year-old girl and an 8-year-old girl. He was subsequently sentenced to 9 years' confinement for each offense, to be served concurrently.

He had been wanted since April 2, 2025, when warrants were issued out of Nacogdoches County for his arrest for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault.

Kessler was added to the DPS 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List on Thursday, July 17.

Kessler's arrest was not from tip information received through Texas Crime Stoppers so no reward will be paid. Up to a $5,000 reward was offered.

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