Wanted Texas fugitive believed to be in Southern Oregon – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2022-03-28

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Wanted Texas fugitive believed to be in Southern Oregon By Nick Morgan Updated: Mar 28, 2022 11:18 AM A A The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is asking Southern Oregonians to be on the lookout for a red Chevrolet Suburban with Texas plates in order to help them find an out-of-compliance sex offender on the lam. James Mark Bishop, 50, is listed by the Texas Department of Public Safety as one of the state’s 10 most wanted fugitives, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office stated in a release Monday that they have reason to believe Bishop is living “off the grid” in Southern Oregon. He may be using an alias. Bishop, originally of Tulia, Texas, is wanted on charges that include continuous sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child by sexual contact and five counts of knowingly downloading child pornography, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety . The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, which consists of federal agents and local police officers, believe that Bishop is working security or another job at an illicit marijuana grow in Southern Oregon or possibly northern California. Bishop was last known to be driving a red 1999 Chevy Suburban with Texas license plate No. HLW6688, equipped with custom wheels, a grill guard and other aftermarket accessories. It’s possible that he’s since switched out the license plates or painted the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. Police say Bishop should be considered armed and dangerous. He has military and martial arts experience, and he worked as a Texas County, Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy until 2007, when he was arrested on child pornography charges. Bishop served prison until 2011 for the crime, and later moved to south Texas. Bishop was most recently arrested in 2020 on charges accusing him of sex crimes with a 12-year-old girl in Tulia, Texas. He ultimately posted bond and fled the state. In July, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma revoked his probation and the Tulia, Texas police department issued felony warrants for his arrest. Anyone with knowledge of Bishop’s whereabouts is asked not to approach him. Instead, contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 541-774-8333. A reward of up to $8,500 is offered for tips that lead to an arrest. Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.