Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday the arrest of a midwife, referred to as “Dr. Maria,” on allegations of managing a chain of unauthorized abortion clinics across the Houston area.

Paxton, a member of the Republican party, disclosed that 48-year-old Maria Margarita Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County. She faces charges of second-degree felonies for conducting illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a valid license.

According to his office, a 2021 Texas law permits the attorney general to impose criminal charges on “abortion providers — not patients” for breaching a prohibition on most abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy.

“In Texas, life is sacred,” stated Mr. Paxton. “I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted.”

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The Washington Times has made efforts to contact Ms. Rojas’ legal representatives for a statement.

The investigation by the Law Enforcement Division of Mr. Paxton’s office uncovered that Rojas owned and operated the illegal abortion facilities named Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring.

The attorney general’s office reported, “These facilities unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals to provide medical treatment.” It was also noted that “Rojas performed illegal abortion procedures in her clinics in direct violation of the Texas Human Life Protection Act.”

In late 2021, the Supreme Court sanctioned Texas to enforce a ban on most abortions post-six weeks of pregnancy. Following the overturning of the national right to an abortion in June 2022, Texas enacted a more stringent ban, with a narrow exception for the life of the mother.

On Monday, it was also revealed by the Texas attorney general’s office that a temporary restraining order was filed to close down Ms. Rojas’ network of clinics.

The office further mentioned that Mr. Paxton plans to prosecute the case under a section of the 2021 law, which allows him to seek civil penalties of a minimum of $100,000 per abortion performed at these facilities.