Bench Warrant Issued for Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens is a wanted man -- TMZ has learned a California judge has issued a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear at a hearing regarding past-due child support.

Court sources confirm ... the warrant was issued on Nov. 1 after T.O. was a no-show in family court ... where Monique Reynolds was trying to force the football star to finally cough up thousands of dollars in unpaid child support.

Owens -- who's gone public about his dire financial situation -- had previously petitioned the court to lower his payments to Monique ... but the judge denied his request because he was M.I.A. during the court hearing.

T.O.'s rep tells us ... the football star tried to reschedule the court date when he knew he wouldn't be able to make it ... but Monique refused to budge.

The rep also insists, "The warrant is currently being taken care of."