safety
U.S. marshals seek help finding man wanted for child rape
By Jesse Zaragoza at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - Midland Crime Stoppers and the U.S. Marshals are seeking public assistance in locating 39-year-old Encarnacion Lopez-Sanchez. Lopez-Sanchez is wanted out of Mexico for the rape of a child and fraud/misuse of documents to work in the U.S. He may also go by the name Ign...
Key takeaway Marshals are seeking public assistance in locating 39-year-old Encarnacion Lopez-Sanchez.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The search for Encarnacion Lopez-Sanchez has significant implications for public safety in the Midland-Odessa area. As a suspect wanted for child rape, his potential presence in the community poses a serious threat to local children and families. The fact that Lopez-Sanchez may be using an alias, Ignacio Hernandez-Gomez, adds complexity to the investigation and underscores the need for vigilant community members to come forward with any information. Given the Permian Basin's proximity to the US-Mexico border, cases involving suspects with international warrants are not uncommon, and local law enforcement must often collaborate with federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals to bring these individuals to justice. The involvement of Midland Crime Stoppers in this case also highlights the importance of community-led initiatives in supporting law enforcement efforts to keep the region safe.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - Midland Crime Stoppers and the U.S. Marshals are seeking public assistance in locating 39-year-old Encarnacion Lopez-Sanchez. Lopez-Sanchez is wanted out of Mexico for the rape of a child and fraud/misuse of documents to work in the U.S. He may also go by the name Ign...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jesse Zaragoza at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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