8 people arrested in connection with network of unlicensed abortion clinics

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday that he has charged and arrested eight more people affiliated with a network of Houston-area clinics who allegedly performed illegal abortions and practiced medicine without proper medical licensing.

The new arrests come after the arrest of Maria Rojas, 49, in March for allegedly illegally operated these clinics, practiced medicine without a license, and performed illegal abortions. Rojas, a midwife know known as “Dr. Maria”, has since been indicted on 15 counts, including meIllegal performance of an abortion and twelve counts of practicing medicine without a license.

During the ensuing investigation, eight people, including 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 – were indicted for practicing medicine without a license under Rojas. Several of those arrested are foreign nationals, Paxton said.

“This cabal of abortion-loving radicals ran illegal clinics staffed by unlicensed individuals who endangered the very people they claimed to help,” Paxton said in a statement. “Beyond being illegal, this is wrong. 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’ pro-life laws.”

Rojas allegedly posed as a doctor while operating clinics in Waller, Cypress, Spring and Katy, according to the attorney general. Court orders have since barred him and his network of clinics and affiliates from performing or performing abortions during the case.

His arrest was the first criminal charge brought in connection with the state’s near-total restriction of abortion, Paxton said.

Performing an illegal abortion is a second-degree felony in Texas and can result in up to 20 years in prison. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, the Attorney General can also seek civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation for the illegal performance of an abortion.

Katherine Hamilton is a politics reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her on @thekat_hamilton.