texas

‘Violent Sexual Predator' on Texas' Most Wanted List Arrested at Oklahoma Casino

A 'violent sexual predator' on Texas' 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender List was arrested Friday morning at the WinStar Casino and Hotel in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Sgt. Lonny Haschel with The Texas Department of Public Safety said 44-year-old Charles Sprague, who removed an electronic tracking device and left a Fort Worth halfway house Wednesday morning, was apprehended at about 9:45 a.m.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Sprague was taken into custody without incident as he exited his hotel room at the casino. Law enforcement searching for Sprague got a tip earlier in the morning that he'd checked into the hotel.

Those assisting in the arrest were Texas DPS CID Agents, US Marshals, the Lighthorse Police Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Sprague is currently in the Love County Jail and extradition paperwork is being prepared to bring him back to Tarrant County.  He is expected to be arraigned on Monday.

Sheriff Joe Russell said Sprague was very cooperative when he was brought in.

Sprague left a Fort Worth halfway house in the 600 block of North Henderson Street about 5 a.m. Wednesday and cut off the 24-hour electronic tracking device he is required by law to wear at all times, according to the DPS.

Before his arrest Friday, the last confirmed sighting of the wanted man was at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Austin Street Shelter near Fair Park in Dallas. Sprague was seen driving an early 2000 model white Honda Accord with a black rear bumper.

Sprague has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping causing bodily injury/sexual abuse, police said.

NBC 5's Scott Gordon and NBC 5 staff contributed to this report.

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