SANTA FE, Texas A fugitive sex offender working at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo was arrested early Tuesday during a traffic stop, according to Santa Fe police.
A Santa Fe patrol sergeant conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle after the driver failed to dim headlights to approaching vehicles.
During the stop, the sergeant s attempt to identify a back seat passenger led to the arrest of 52-year-old Robert Wayne Niffen of Houston.
Niffen provided a false name, identifying himself as 47-year-old Wayne Hemmie from Iowa, according to police.
The sergeant found no records of the person and decided to further investigate.
He determined that Niffen was a fugitive from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Niffen had been in prison serving a 57-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault when paroled.
According to TDCJ, Niffen s sentence does not expire until 2039.
Niffen had failed to report as a sex offender as required by law and the conditions of his parole. Niffen has an extensive criminal history and has violent tendencies, according to TDCJ.
The investigation also revealed that while a fugitive sex offender, he had been employed as a carnival employee working a gaming booth at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo. Niffen had just left his shift at the fair when stopped and arrested by Santa Fe police.
Investigators will determine if additional charges may be filed as a result of his securing employment at the fair under a false identity.
Investigators said it is unclear if any background checks were completed on Niffen prior to his employment at the fair. It is believed that Niffen used the same alias to get hired.
Santa Fe police arrested Niffen on the parole warrant and giving false information.
Niffen was booked into the Santa Fe city jail, where he is being held without bond.
