Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has arrested eight more individuals connected to illegal abortion clinics staffed by unlicensed “fake doctors,” marking a major victory for pro-life enforcement and the rule of law in the Lone Star State.
Story Highlights
- Eight additional arrests expand investigation into illegal abortion clinics operating with unlicensed practitioners
- Foreign nationals among those indicted for practicing medicine without licenses in Houston-area facilities
- Attorney General Paxton shuts down dangerous “dens of fake doctors” threatening patient safety
- First major prosecution under Texas’s post-Roe abortion provider liability laws demonstrates effective enforcement
Paxton Expands Crackdown on Unlicensed Abortion Operations
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced October 8, 2025, the arrest and indictment of eight individuals connected to Maria Margarita Rojas’s illegal abortion clinic network. The arrests 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. These individuals allegedly practiced medicine without licenses while performing illegal abortions across multiple Houston-area locations including Waller, Cypress, Spring, and Katy.
Paxton emphasized his commitment to protecting innocent life, stating, “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.” This decisive action follows Rojas’s initial arrest in March 2025 and subsequent June indictment on 15 felony counts.
Foreign Nationals Exploited Texas Communities
The investigation reveals several foreign nationals among the accused, raising concerns about immigration status and exploitation of vulnerable communities. These unlicensed practitioners allegedly targeted Latino and immigrant populations in Houston suburbs, operating outside legal oversight while endangering patients through unsafe medical procedures. The clinics served underserved communities where language barriers and immigration fears made patients particularly susceptible to exploitation by unqualified providers.
Court orders now prohibit all accused individuals from practicing medicine or performing abortions pending trial. Defense attorneys challenge the characterizations and evidence, claiming their clients maintain legal residency status. However, the pattern of unlicensed foreign nationals operating illegal medical facilities demonstrates the intersection of immigration enforcement and public safety concerns that resonate with Texas conservatives.
Historic Enforcement Under Texas Pro-Life Laws
This case represents the first major prosecution under Texas’s post-Roe abortion provider liability laws, demonstrating effective enforcement mechanisms protecting both unborn life and patient safety. Texas enacted increasingly restrictive abortion laws since 2021, culminating in a near-total ban after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The state’s approach focuses on prosecuting providers rather than patients, creating strong deterrent effects against illegal abortion operations.
Texas authorities arrest 8 more ‘fake doctors’ in illegal abortion clinic investigation @WashTimes https://t.co/YqhkGGmm4R
— Sean Salai (@SeanSalai) October 8, 2025
The investigation began following reports of unlicensed practice and unsafe procedures that endangered women seeking medical care. Legal experts note this unprecedented use of provider liability laws establishes important precedent for protecting both unborn children and vulnerable patients from dangerous illegal medical operations. Pro-life advocates support aggressive enforcement as necessary protection of innocent life, while the prosecution sends a clear message that Texas will not tolerate exploitation of women through unlicensed medical practice.
Sources:
Texas authorities arrest 8 more ‘fake doctors’ in illegal abortion clinic investigation
Attorney General Paxton Arrests Eight Individuals Including Foreign Nationals Connected Houston
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Arrests Eight









