Executive Summary
- U.S. Marshals are searching for Malachi Christopher Farias after he escaped a San Antonio halfway house.
- Farias was serving the remainder of a 30-month sentence for conspiracy to transport undocumented people.
- The fugitive is described as 5’5″ with distinctive tattoos including “R.E.A.L.” and dice with skulls.
- Authorities state Farias went missing after failing to report for an inmate count on January 15.
SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has launched a search for a federal inmate who officials say escaped from a Residential Reentry Center in San Antonio. Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Malachi Christopher Farias, who was reported missing on January 15, 2026.
According to the U.S. Marshals, Farias failed to report for a scheduled inmate count at the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. Officials stated he was last accounted for around 6:25 p.m. that evening, shortly after receiving a visitor. Authorities confirmed that there has been no trace of his whereabouts since he was determined to be missing.
Farias was convicted in 2024 of conspiracy to transport undocumented people. Court records indicate he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by a mandated three years of supervised release. Officials noted he was serving the conclusion of his sentence at the halfway house to transition back into the community when the escape occurred.
Law enforcement described Farias as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He reportedly possesses several scars on the back of his head and a scar on his left leg. The U.S. Marshals identified multiple distinctive tattoos, including the letters “R.E.A.L.,” dice with skulls, playing cards, the name “Crystal,” and images of a man and a woman on his right arm. His last known residence was reported to be on the north-central side of San Antonio.
Investigative Outlook
The designation of an inmate as an escapee triggers immediate operational protocols by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, focusing resources on rapid apprehension to mitigate potential public safety risks. Incidents involving walk-aways from residential reentry centers often lead to a review of facility monitoring procedures and visitor logs to identify security lapses. While Farias is currently being sought as a fugitive, it is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law regarding any new charges related to this incident.
