Eight people connected to illegal abortion ring arrested in Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced October 8 that eight more people have been arrested in connection with a midwife who has been charged with committing illegal abortions and running an illegal abortion ring in the state.

Key Takeaways:

• Eight people have been arrested for practicing medicine without a license while working at illegal abortion facilities operated by Maria Rojas.

• Rojas was arrested in March and is facing 15 felony charges in connection with illegal abortions.

The Details

In his press release, Paxton announced the arrest of Yaimara Hernandez Alvarez, Alina Valeron Leon, Dalia Coromoto Yanez, Yhonder Lebrun Acosta, Liunet Grandales Estrada, Gerardo Otero Aguero, Sabiel Bosch Gongora, and Jose Manuel Cendan Ley. 

New report confirms dangerous ‘abortion pill drug cartel’ is infiltrating the United States

All eight individuals are charged with practicing medicine without a license under Maria Margarita Rojas, a midwife who was arrested earlier this year for committing illegal abortions and operating a network of abortion businesses in the Houston area.

The Backstory:

In March, Paxton announced Rojas's arrest. An investigation by his office revealed that Rojas owned, operated, and committed abortions at multiple Texas facilities under the names Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring. A grand jury later indicted Rojas on 15 felony counts, including illegal performance of an abortion and twelve counts of practicing medicine without a license. According to Fox News, her case is ongoing.

In April, Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, 29, and Rubildo Labanino Matos, 54, were also arrested and charged with aiding Rojas. According to Paxton, Ley worked as a medical assistant at Rojas's Clinica Waller Latinoamericana, performing illegal medical procedures and assisting in at least one illegal abortion. Matos, a nurse practitioner whose license is currently on probation with the Board of Nursing, was charged with conspiracy to practice medicine without a license.

Rojas is the first person arrested for violating the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, which criminalizes abortion in most instances.

The Bottom Line:

In his statement, Paxton promised to continue working to protect the preborn children of the state.

“This cabal of abortion-loving radicals has been running illegal clinics staffed with unlicensed individuals who endangered the very people they pretended to help,” Paxton said.

“Beyond being illegal, it is evil. These dens of fake doctors will not be allowed to operate in Texas. Those responsible will be held accountable. I will always protect innocent life and use every tool to enforce Texas’s pro-life laws.”