A Texas midwife and associate were arrested for allegedly performing illegal abortions. They're reportedly the first arrests under the state's near-total abortion ban enacted in 2022. LEILA FADEL, HOST: In what are reportedly the first arrests under the near-total abortion ban enacted in 2022 in Texas, a midwife and an associate have been charged for allegedly performing illegal abortions in Houston area clinics. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports from Houston. LUCIO VASQUEZ, BYLINE: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says Maria Rojas performed illegal abortions. An employee of one of the clinics, Jose Ley, is also facing similar allegations, according to court records.

Two people have been arrested and charged with performing abortions in Texas, a state with one of the nation's strictest bans against the controversial medical practice. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, and Jose Cendan Ley, 29, were arrested on charges of practicing medicine without a license and performance of an abortion, Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore said Monday. "In Waller County we respect the sanctity of all life and our citizens expect people to follow the laws of the Great State of Texas," Whittmore said in a statement

Maria Rojas, 48, was charged with performing abortions and practicing medicine without a license. She owned and operated multiple clinics in the Northwest Houston area and employed individuals who deceptively presented themselves as licensed medical professionals, Paxton’s office concluded following an investigation. The abortion charge is a second-degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum $10,000 fine. Additionally, the abortionist could face civil penalties worth at least $100,000 per violation for illegally performing an abortion under the Texas Human Life Protection Act.