Abortions are largely prohibited in Texas, except in extreme circumstances to save the lives of pregnant women.
A midwife and two clinic workers were arrested in Texas and charged with illegally carried out abortions. This was charged with the first such prosecution since the state enacted some of the country’s toughest abortion restrictions more than two years ago.
According to a statement from Paxton’s office, the clinic allegedly “illegally hired unlicensed individuals who were misrepresented as licensed medical professionals.”
Abortion charges classified as a second felony will be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, violators could face civil penalties of at least $100,000 for each violation, under the Texas Human Life Protection Act (HLPA).
The HLPA became law in 2021 and came into effect when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that abortion regulations would be returned to individual states about a year later. The law prohibits abortion from the moment of conception. The only exception is when pregnant women are in life-threatening conditions.
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Clinic employee Jose Rey has been accused of supporting Rojas with at least one abortion despite a lack of medical licenses in Texas. A Cuban citizen, Ray illegally entered the United States in 2022 and was later released on parole for entry by the Biden administration, according to Paxton’s office.
Lubildo Matos, a Cuban native, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to practice medicine without a license as a nurse. Paxton’s office said his license is currently on probation by state regulators.
The attorney representing the suspect could not immediately request comment.
Paxton said his department is still investigating the case.
“In Texas, life is sacred. I always do everything to protect the unborn baby, adhere to the state’s life system laws, and strive to ensure that unlicensed individuals who endanger women’s lives by performing illegal abortions are fully charged,” he said in a statement.
“It’s clear that Texas law protects lives, and we hold those who violate it accountable.”
The Attorney General reiterated that the state’s abortion ban focuses on prosecuting health care providers who perform illegal abortions, rather than patients seeking procedures.
Last month, a Texas judge issued a permanent injunction that punished a carpenter with a $100,000 civil penalty and barring Texas residents from prescribing them to Texas residents if they do not have a medical license in that state.
