FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: March 09, 2007 Trent Touchstone, Supervisory Deputy (214) 770-3512   Sex Offender Arrested After Standoff   Dallas, TX - The Dallas Fort Worth Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (DFW FAST) with assistance from the Dallas Police Department SWAT Team arrested Ismael Ortiz III after a two hour stand-off with police. Mr. Ortiz was wanted by the Val Verde Sheriffs Department for two outstanding felony warrants. In October 2005, Mr. Ortiz was charged with a bond violation related to a previous sexual assault arrest and conviction. On January 25, 2007 the Val Verde Sheriffs Department issued a second warrant for Mr. Ortiz for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Investigation by the United States Marshals Service Western District of Texas (Lone Star Fugitive Task Force) determined that Mr. Ortiz was now residing in Dallas, Texas. Utilizing the United States Marshals Service fugitive task force network, the Lone Start Fugitive Task Force contacted DFW FAST for assistance in locating and arresting Mr. Ortiz. As Deputy Marshals approached Mr. Ortiz in the 1000 block of Burlington, Dallas, Texas, he fled on foot into his residence. According to information provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Val Verde County Sheriffs Department, Mr. Ortiz is associated with a known drug organization based out of south Texas. Because Mr. Ortiz retreated and barricaded himself in the residence, DFW FAST requested immediate assistance from Dallas Police SWAT. Mr. Ortiz surrendered to Dallas SWAT Officers shortly after negotiations began. Mr. Ortiz was transported to the Lew Sterret Jail. Mr. Ortiz is the 307th arrest in 2007 for DFW FAST. Since the inception of the task force in January 2004, DFW FAST has arrested over 4500 violent fugitives. DFW FAST is a diverse combination of resources from thirteen participating agencies including the Dallas and Fort Worth Police Departments. According to Randy P. Ely, US Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, “This is just another example of the tremendous cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement in the State of Texas and especially here in the Northern District. As this case demonstrates, we in law enforcement, working through these fugitive apprehension strike teams, are thoroughly committed to locating and apprehending sex offenders who fail to follow their registration guidelines in an attempt to go unnoticed within existing communities.”