U.S. Marshals nab sex offender at Marble Falls business

Connie Swinney  Staff Writer •
The Highlander

Authorities captured a convicted child predator in Marble Falls Tuesday, Aug. 21, after he failed to register as a sex offender in two counties, according to the U.S. Marshal's Office.

Joseph Michael Gore, 32, was added to the “Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders” list by the Texas Department of Public Safety in July.

Investigators say he failed to register as a sex offender in Tom Green County and Irion County in connection with 2013 and 2014 convictions of aggravated sexual assault of a child, age 13, and sexual assault of a child, age 16.

The task force with the assistance of DPS and the Marble Falls Police Department descended on a business that morning in the 2500 block of U.S. 281, where they found Gore.

“He was a customer there,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla, who is public information officer for the task force.

“Over the course of the investigation, we received information (that) this individual had been seen in Burnet and Marble Falls,” he said. “His capture gives us a chance for closure to keep track of someone like Gore.”

As of Aug. 21, Gore remained in the Burnet County Jail on surety bonds which totaled $70,000. Records indicated his charges are bail jumping/failure to appear in court and failure to register as a sex offender.

According to court records, the defendant initially received 10 years probation on each offense. He is required to register as a sex offender every three months for life or face possible imprisonment.

Task force officials credited the assistance of area agencies for the arrest.

“It's our relationship with the local and state authorities which makes our task force effective in holding offenders accountable,” Filla said.

To offer the task force a tip, call 512-800-4213.

For more information on the most wanted list, go to https://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/MostWanted/SexOffenders.