A shocking underground abortion network has been uncovered in Texas, with three individuals now behind bars. Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking a strong stand against the illegal operations that performed dismemberment abortions without medical licenses, putting vulnerable women at risk.
At a glance:
• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrests of three individuals for operating an illegal abortion network in Houston
• Maria Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria,” faces charges for prohibited dismemberment abortion and practicing medicine without a license
• Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested for performing unlawful abortions
• A third suspect, Rubildo Labanino Matos, faces conspiracy charges related to the illegal clinics
• A temporary restraining order has been filed to shut down Rojas’s network of unlicensed clinics
Illegal Abortion Ring Dismantled
Texas law enforcement has arrested three individuals for operating an underground network of illegal abortion clinics in the Houston area that conduct the worst kind of abortion procedure you can imagine. The operation, led by a woman who called herself “Dr. Maria,” performed dismemberment abortions and other medical procedures without proper licenses or oversight.
Maria Margarita Rojas, who operated several facilities under the Clinicas Latinoamericanas name, now faces serious criminal charges for prohibited dismemberment abortion and practicing medicine without a license. The Attorney General’s office has secured a temporary restraining order to shut down her network of clinics, which reportedly employed several unlicensed individuals.
Border Crisis Connection
Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, one of Rojas’s alleged accomplices, entered the United States illegally in 2022 according to law enforcement reports. The Cuban national now faces charges for performing an unlawful abortion and practicing medicine without a license, highlighting potential connections between illegal immigration and criminal enterprises operating within Texas.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made his position clear on the matter, stating, “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. 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.”
A third suspect, Rubildo Labanino Matos, has also been arrested for conspiracy to practice medicine without a license in connection with the illegal clinics. The bond amounts set for the suspects reflect the seriousness of the charges, with Rojas’s bond exceeding $1 million.
Texas Continues Pro-Life Enforcement
The Texas Attorney General’s office emphasized that state law holds abortion providers—not patients—criminally responsible for unlawful procedures. This case marks another significant enforcement action in Texas’s ongoing efforts to protect unborn children through its strong pro-life legislation.
Texas previously took legal action against Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman, resulting in substantial fines. The state’s commitment to enforcing its abortion laws has contributed to record low numbers of abortions in 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of Texas’s legislative approach to protecting unborn life.
