Texas authorities have arrested three individuals for operating an illegal abortion network in Houston, as the state continues its enforcement of strict pro-life laws.
Key Takeaways
- Maria Margarita Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria,” Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, and Rubildo Labanino Matos were arrested for operating illegal abortion clinics in Houston.
- Rojas faces charges for prohibited dismemberment abortion and practicing medicine without a license, with significant bond amounts set.
- Ley, who reportedly entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, is charged with performing unlawful abortion and practicing medicine without a license.
- The illegal clinics operated as part of Rojas’s “Clinicas Latinoamericanas” network, which offered services without requiring medical insurance.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has obtained a temporary restraining order to shut down the illegal abortion network.
Illegal Abortion Network Dismantled
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrests of three individuals for allegedly operating an illegal abortion network in Houston. Maria Margarita Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria,” Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, and Rubildo Labanino Matos face multiple charges related to performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without proper licensing. Authorities have filed a temporary restraining order to shut down Rojas’s network of clinics, which allegedly performed prohibited dismemberment abortions in violation of Texas law.
Rojas faces serious charges including prohibited dismemberment abortion and practicing medicine without a license. Her bond has been set at $1 million for each of the abortion charges and $5,000 for practicing medicine without a license. Ley, identified as a Cuban national who entered the United States illegally in 2022, faces similar charges with bond amounts of $950,000 each for the abortion charges and $5,000 for the unlicensed practice of medicine.
Clinic Operations and Services
The investigation revealed that Rojas operated multiple clinics that employed unlicensed individuals to perform illegal abortion procedures. Her “Clinicas Latinoamericanas” network offered services without requiring medical insurance, potentially targeting vulnerable populations. The third individual arrested, Rubildo Labanino Matos, faces charges for conspiracy to practice medicine without a license. The illegal nature of these operations raises serious concerns about patient safety and public health standards.
“Individuals killing unborn babies by performing illegal abortions in Texas will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and I will not rest until justice is served,” Paxton said in a press release. “I will continue to fight to protect life and work to ensure that anyone guilty of violating our state’s pro-life laws is held accountable.” – Source
The state’s crackdown on illegal abortion providers is part of a broader effort to enforce Texas’s strict pro-life laws. According to the Attorney General’s office, Texas law explicitly holds abortion providers—not patients—criminally responsible for unlawful procedures. This distinction is important to understand the legal framework under which these arrests were made and the potential consequences for those operating outside the law.
Texas Abortion Law Enforcement
This case is not the first instance of Texas enforcing its abortion laws. Previously, the state sued Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter for prescribing an abortion pill to a Texas woman, resulting in fines and legal actions. These enforcement actions align with Texas’s legislative efforts to protect unborn children, which have contributed to the state recording low numbers of abortions in 2024. The current arrests represent a continued commitment to enforcing these laws.
“Texas law holds abortion providers — not patients — criminally responsible for unlawful procedures,” the release said.
The case highlights the tension between strict abortion regulations and concerns about illegal medical practices that may emerge in response. While Texas authorities continue to enforce the state’s pro-life legislation, the discovery of underground abortion networks raises questions about healthcare access and the potential risks associated with unregulated medical procedures. The dismantling of this network represents a significant enforcement action in Texas’s ongoing efforts to uphold its abortion laws.
Sources:
- 3 Arrested In Texas For Running Illegal Back-Alley Abortion Ring
- Texas officials announce third arrest in illegal abortion case involving Houston-area woman
