Introduction to the Case
Eight people have been indicted in connection to a Houston abortion investigation. The Texas Attorney General’s Office is connecting these eight workers to a first-of-its-kind Houston abortion case involving midwife Maria Rojas, who has been indicted on felony charges of practicing medicine without a license and performing illegal medicine.
The Indicted Individuals
The eight people who were indicted are suspected of working under Rojas in one of her clinics without a license as far back as 2020. Those people are 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, who was previously arrested with Rojas. The indictments state that the individuals offered to treat, treated, diagnosed and prescribed medicine to patients without a license.
Reaction from the Indicted Individuals
On Wednesday, KPRC 2 spoke to Yaimara Alvarez who told us to speak to her lawyer. The attorney for Gerardo Aguergo, Luis Suarez, sent us the following statement via email: “I cannot discuss my client Gerardo Aguero until I learn more about the facts of his case, and right now I know only what is in the public record.”
National Headlines and Clinic Shutdown
Rojas’ case made national headlines as she is the first arrest since Texas enacted its near total abortion ban. Since a Waller County judge imposed a temporary injunction, her six clinics listed in court documents have stayed shut down since April. Her attorneys have been appealing with the Texas Supreme Court to reverse that order.
Response from the Center for Reproductive Rights
Jenna Hudson, senior counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights, sent us the following statement: “This is an escalation of Texas’ scare campaign against doctors and healthcare workers. The case against Maria Rojas is a sham. Without any proof, Paxton went after Rojas, a licensed midwife dedicated to helping her pregnant patients. He heartlessly shut down several clinics that provided lawful, affordable services to families around Houston, most of whom were low-income, uninsured immigrants with few options for health care. To claim this is about protecting women’s health is laughable—women are going septic and nearly dying in hospitals because of Texas’ abortion ban—and Paxton couldn’t care less. He has thrown together a shoddy case to score political points. It’s no coincidence that he is targeting Rojas and these clinics amid the widespread anti-immigrant sentiment nationwide. Texas health care workers deserve respect, not to be treated like criminals.”
Ongoing Court Proceedings
Last month, KPRC 2 went to Waller County court for a status check on Rojas’ criminal case. Attorneys said they needed more time for discovery. Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube, who is representing Rojas, said her defense is vigorously fighting for her case. “We don’t believe that a crime was committed,” said Hochglaube. “We look forward to doing everything we can to get the truth in this matter.” Rojas is due back in court in January.
Conclusion
The indictment of eight people in connection to the Houston abortion investigation and the case against Maria Rojas has sparked controversy and debate. The case has made national headlines and has raised concerns about the impact of Texas’ near total abortion ban on healthcare workers and patients. As the court proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what implications it will have for the future of abortion access in Texas.
