Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Arrest of Houston-Area Woman for Allegedly Performing Illegal Abortions

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, a 48-year-old midwife known as “Dr. Maria,” for allegedly performing illegal abortions and operating unlicensed medical clinics in the Houston area. The arrest follows an extensive investigation by Paxton’s Law Enforcement Division, which uncovered a network of facilities operating under false pretenses.

According to officials, Rojas ran multiple clinics under names such as Clinica Walter Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Teleg in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring. These facilities allegedly employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as medical professionals. Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County and charged with the unlawful performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license.

In a statement, Attorney General Paxton reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing Texas’ strict abortion laws, which make performing an abortion a criminal offense. “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.

Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division has also filed a temporary restraining order to shut down Rojas’ network of clinics to prevent further illegal activity. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, the Attorney General’s Office has the authority to seek civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation for the unlawful performance of an abortion. Waller County District Attorney Sean Whitmore has referred the case to Paxton for prosecution.