Former Federal Agent Offers Insight Into Search for ‘Affluenza' Teen & Mom

A nationwide search is underway for "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch and his mother Tonya, and a former federal agent says the very thing that got Couch off the hook in the first place could be the thing that lands him back behind bars.

"He seems to get away with everything and he feels like he can get away with anything. So I feel like he's going to talk about it," A.J. Irwin said.

During sentencing, a defense expert argued Couch's wealthy parents coddled him, causing him to suffer from a condition dubbed "affluenza." Couch, now 18, disappeared — possibly with his mother, Tonya — while on probation for killing four people during a 2013 drunken driving wreck.

Attorney Bill Berenson represents the family of Sergio Molina, who was paralyzed in the crash caused by Couch, said the family "is furious."

"Couch paralyzed their son and got away with four murders. Now he’s gotten away," Berenson said. "He must be caught and punished."

Irwin said the pair can't survive without money.

"She's going to have to spend money and do things that she's used to doing and she's going to slip up and make a mistake," he said.

But what if the pair is using cash? Irwin points out that since most people don't use large amounts of cash anymore, if they do, someone will probably find it suspicious and report them.

"I think when I look at this case, I look at who's the weak link, and in this case it's the mother. When they're in hiding if they're living low under the radar I don't think she can sustain that," said Irwin.

Even if there's no slip up, Irwin said U.S. Marshals are scouring the country for the pair and the marshals' resources are nearly unlimited. Irwin said there are many ways to track a pair on the run, from passenger manifests if they fly, to technology seen in movies if they drive.

"They can throw out a web of sources using computer or human intelligence," he said. "Everything you can think is possible."

Once caught, a number of factors will be taken into account and Irwin said punishment could go well beyond violating probation.

"I've got a feeling he's going to face the consequences and it's not going to be what he hopes for," he said.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Couch's capture.