Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday that a 48-year-old Houston woman had been arrested for allegedly performing illegal abortions.
Paxton said that Maria Margarita Rojas was providing illegal abortions in the Northwest Houston area and was operating a network of illegal clinics. Rojas was charged with one count of performing an illegal abortion and practicing medicine without a license.
“In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted,” Paxton said. “Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Paxton said that an investigation from his Law Enforcement Division found that Rojas operated multiple clinics in the Houston area including Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring. These clinics were allegedly operated by individuals who pretended to be medical professionals without licenses.
According to Paxton, Rojas performed illegal abortions at these clinics in violation of Texas’ Human Life Protection Act. Paxton said the case was referred to him by Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore.
Rojas could face a penalty of at least $100,000 if found guilty of performing an illegal abortion.
Paxton’s actions were praised by pro-life groups, like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“Abortion activists’ reckless, criminal disregard for women’s lives and unborn life is on full display,” said SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “We thank Attorney General Paxton for his strong leadership to put a stop to this brutality, including taking on sellers of dangerous abortion drugs across state lines, and hope others will follow his example.”
Paxton previously secured a $100,000 penalty and permanent injunction against a New York abortionist he had sued for allegedly sending abortion pills into Texas in violation of state law.
