Police looking for sex offender who failed to register

HOUSTON In November 1996, Dezra Jerome Howard was sentenced to six years probation for aggravated sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. In October 2001, he violated his probation and he was sentenced to five years in prison. He is required to register as a sex offender for life.

On January 28, 2010 officers conducted a compliance check on an address on Ruiz and discovered Howard had not lived there since June of 2009, despite registering with HPD on January 25, 2010 that he lived there. Charges were filed on Howard in February and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Howard, 31, is a black male. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. He has tattoos on both of his forearms.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-8477 (TIPS) hotline or submitted online at Crime-Stoppers.org that leads to an arrest in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message - Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES(274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.