Wanted human trafficker in Houston found after being admitted to hospital
HOUSTON - A man who's said to be one of the most dangerous human traffickers in the Houston-area is now back in custody. Thaddeus Allen has been a fugitive since jumping bail and skipping out on his own trial in 2023.
Turns out, Allen was admitted into a Houston hospital, according to investigators, under an alias on New Year's Eve in critical condition after overdosing on PCP and meth. However, the Harris County Sheriff's Office VCAT, Violent Criminal Apprehension Team received a tip and found him on Monday.
RELATED: Harris County Crime: Fugitive pimp sought, $15K reward being offered
For almost two years, Allen had been on the run after he didn't show up for the last day of his trial, which was closing arguments. A jury still convicted him of violently and often at gunpoint forcing an 18-year-old Houston girl into sex trafficking.
"The 'ghost' is no longer the ‘ghost’. That was his nickname that he was not so relevantly given because of his pension to disappear into the night. This guy was a bad, bad dude. I mean if you're looking for a poster child for human trafficking, compelling prostitution, for taking girls and turning them into traffickers Thaddeus Allen would be number one," explains Andy Kahan with Houston Crime Stoppers.
"He was out on a $200,000 bond at the time of his trial, and keep in mind this guy had multiple, multiple felony convictions. He'd been in and out of prison. I guess all of a sudden he went 'you know this just isn't looking too good for me' and he said 'I'm gone. I'm out of here'," Kahan said. "Crime Stoppers, we put out up to a $15,000 reward for any information and I'm trying to find out if it was one of our tips that led to his arrest. This is a good day that we finally got him back in custody."
Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app
He also says although it was sheriff's deputies who caught up with him, Allen's victim is certainly a hero, finding the courage to testify against him and put him away, likely for life.
The jury recommended a sentence of 75 years.
Allen is in custody in the hospital as of Friday. Detectives say when he's released he's headed straight to jail.