TL;DR: The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of Gabriel Allen Hargus, a 49-year-old from Mineral Wells, West Virginia, who is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender and for violating his parole. Hargus, who was convicted in 2011 of child-exploitation crimes and must register as a sex offender for life, was last seen in El Paso, Texas, driving a 2016 silver Ford Focus with a West Virginia license plate.
On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Marshals Service’s CUFFED Task Force in West Virginia announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of Gabriel Allen Hargus, 49, of Mineral Wells. Hargus is wanted on federal and state warrants for failure to register as a sex offender and for a parole violation. Investigators say he was last seen in El Paso, Texas, behind the wheel of a 2016 silver Ford Focus bearing West Virginia license plate N3R908.
The announcement turns what might otherwise be a routine warrant case into a nationwide appeal: a convicted sex offender who is required to register for life is now believed to be hundreds of miles from home, driving across the Southwest in an identifiable vehicle.
A 2011 Conviction — and a Lifetime on the Registry
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Hargus was convicted in 2011 for possession of child-exploitation materials and for third-degree sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. That conviction is the reason he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life — a legal obligation that does not expire.
The warrants now outstanding against him do not accuse him of new sex crimes. Instead, they allege two violations: failing to keep his sex-offender registration current, and violating the terms of his parole. Precision matters here: Hargus was convicted in the 2011 case, but he has not been convicted on the current allegations. He is wanted for arrest — not convicted — on those charges.
Failure to register as a sex offender is a crime under both federal and many state laws, which is why warrants have been issued at both levels. When someone required to register for life disappears from the system, investigators treat it as a public-safety priority.
Last Seen in El Paso, Hundreds of Miles From Home
Mineral Wells sits in Wood County in western West Virginia. El Paso, Texas, is on the far western tip of Texas, along the Mexican border — roughly a thousand miles away by road. That distance is significant to investigators, because it suggests Hargus may have deliberately traveled far from where he was expected to be, making him harder to locate.
The detail that could matter most to the public is the vehicle. A 2016 silver Ford Focus is a common car, but the combination of the make, model, color, and a West Virginia plate reading N3R908 narrows it considerably — especially in El Paso, where out-of-state plates stand out. The Marshals are asking anyone who has seen the car, or who has information about where Hargus may be staying, to come forward.
The $5,000 Reward and How Tips Are Handled
The reward of up to $5,000 is offered for information that directly leads to Hargus’s capture — meaning the tip must play a real role in bringing him into custody. Reward amounts in fugitive cases are typically scaled to the seriousness of the case and the difficulty of the search, and a $5,000 figure signals that the Marshals consider locating him a priority.
Anyone with information should contact the U.S. Marshals Service directly; the agency’s official press release carries the details on how to submit a tip. Even small details — a sighting at a gas station, a motel check-in — can be the piece that breaks a case open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gabriel Allen Hargus?
He is a 49-year-old man from Mineral Wells, West Virginia, who is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on federal and state warrants for failure to register as a sex offender and for a parole violation.
What was he convicted of in 2011?
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Hargus was convicted in 2011 for possession of child-exploitation materials and third-degree sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. That conviction requires him to register as a sex offender for life.
What is he wanted for right now?
The current warrants allege failure to register as a sex offender and a parole violation. He has not been convicted of these current allegations — he is wanted for arrest on them.
Where was he last seen?
Investigators say Hargus was last seen in El Paso, Texas, which is roughly a thousand miles from his home in Mineral Wells, West Virginia.
What vehicle is he believed to be driving?
A 2016 silver Ford Focus bearing West Virginia license plate N3R908.
How much is the reward?
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Hargus’s capture.
How can I submit a tip?
Contact the U.S. Marshals Service directly — the agency’s official press release includes instructions for submitting tips. Do not attempt to approach or confront a wanted fugitive yourself.
What does ‘failure to register’ mean?
People convicted of certain sex offenses are legally required to keep their registration information — such as their address — current with authorities. Failing to do so is itself a crime under federal and many state laws.
