July 2, 2026 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement via social media, and according to their information, the suspect Julio Cesar Pitalua, age 21 is still at large and the Sheriff’s Office is now asking for the assistance of the public and have provided some information about what occurred in the Neuville area.
According to the statement, early in the afternoon of July 2, 2026, they were notified of Pitalua being wanted on a felony probation violation warrant from Nacogdoches County. Upon the arrival of deputies at a residence on FM 417 approximately one mile from US Highway 96, Pitalua is alleged to have immediately fled the residence. He was wearing black pants, shirtless and clutching a black hoodie as he ran. Pitalua is alleged to have run in the direction of FM 2140 and is believed to have crossed the road, continuing east.
If anyone sees a person matching his description in the Neuville, Clever Creek, Center or Shelbyville area, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s office at 936-598-5601, option 1. Shelby County Sheriff's deputies will be patrolling that general vicinity throughout the night.
The statement further states they have received calls about Pitualua being one of the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives; however, this is indicated as not being true. His original charge that he was on probation for was possession of a controlled substance and his history prior to that includes similar charges, according to the Sheriff's Office.
(7:03pm) - An abundance of law enforcement officials are actively working in the Neuville/Choice area in what appears to be some sort of search since sometime before 5pm.
The area of FM 417 near FM 2140 and a railroad crossing in that vicinity has been actively swarmed by members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and DeSoto Parish Louisiana deputies.
K9 units from DeSoto Parish appear to be working in conjunction with a helicopter unit in the area.
At this time, official details haven’t been released on the circumstances in the area. Residents in the area have contacted Shelby County Today and their belief was that law enforcement is conducting some sort of manhunt; however, this has not yet been confirmed by official sources.
