Attorney General Ken Paxton announced eight additional individuals have been arrested in connection with a network of Houston-area medical clinics accused of performing illegal abortions.
Those charged include 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. The Attorney General’s office noted that several of the defendants are foreign nationals.
Earlier this year, Paxton’s office announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, the clinic owner, who allegedly performed abortions and operated multiple illegal medical businesses across the Houston region. Rojas is accused of both practicing medicine without a license and running a network of abortion facilities.
One of the men charged in the case, Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, is reportedly an illegal immigrant from Cuba who posed as a licensed American doctor to perform procedures. Another, Rubbildo Labanino Matos, allegedly used his credentials as a nurse practitioner to authorize medical procedures and issue prescriptions.
Last month, Rojas was formally charged with 15 felonies—twelve for practicing medicine without a license and three for performing abortions. According to Paxton, she was the first person charged under the Texas Human Life Protection Act, which bans nearly all abortions except in limited, emergency circumstances.
In his latest statement, Paxton condemned the operation:
This cabal of abortion-loving radicals has been running illegal clinics staffed with unlicensed individuals who endangered the very people they pretended to help. 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.
Ashley Leenerts, legislative director for Texas Right to Life, told Texas Scorecard, “Texas Right to Life commends Attorney General Ken Paxton and the arresting officers for taking decisive action to shut down this dangerous and illegal abortion network in Houston. These arrests represent a critical step toward upholding the rule of law and protecting innocent human lives in Texas.”
“The horrifying reports of unlicensed individuals committing abortions in secret clinics should alarm every Texan,” she added. “Abortion not only ends the life of a preborn child but endangers the lives of vulnerable women. Texas has strong Pro-Life laws to safeguard both mothers and babies. We are optimistic that the Woman and Child Protection Act (HB 7), which takes effect December 4th, will add to the Pro-Life arsenal to combat deadly abortion pills that continue to threaten Texan lives. We will continue to stand with our leaders in ensuring that those who violate these laws are brought to justice and that Life is protected across our state.”
Court orders following Rojas’ initial arrest continue to prohibit her and her associates from engaging in any form of medical practice or abortion activity as the case proceeds.
