Texas Judge Faces Felony Charges of Sexual Assault and Compelling Prostitution

An Elected Judge Behind Bars

Lavaca County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Travis Hill was arrested on three felony charges related to sexual assault and soliciting prostitution. The arrest sent shockwaves through the small South Texas county, where Hill held a position of public trust — both as an elected judicial officer and as a practicing attorney.

Investigators said Hill has been charged with compelling prostitution, a first-degree felony; sexual assault, a second-degree felony; and solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony. The range and severity of those charges — particularly the first-degree compelling prostitution count, which carries the most serious penalties under Texas law — signal that this case goes well beyond a single incident.

How the Investigation Unfolded

The Lavaca County Sheriff's Office said it became aware of misconduct allegations involving Hill approximately six weeks ago, prompting a request for the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers to conduct a special investigation. Bringing in the Rangers was a deliberate move to ensure the inquiry remained independent and credible, given Hill's standing in the community.

Texas Ranger James Sears led the investigation into multiple allegations. The involvement of a named Ranger underscores the seriousness with which state authorities treated the case from the outset. Investigations of this nature — involving elected officials with legal authority over others — require an outside agency to prevent any appearance of bias or conflict of interest.

A Dual Role That Complicated the Case

Hill, who also works as a criminal defense attorney, faces three charges. That dual role — sitting judge and defense lawyer — created a significant legal tangle for local prosecutors. The Lavaca County Attorney's Office formally recused itself from prosecuting the case because Hill is both an elected official and a practicing criminal defense attorney in Lavaca County, including representing indigent defendants in local courts.

The recusal raises an uncomfortable reality: Hill had been appearing in the very legal system he helped oversee, defending clients — including those who could not afford their own representation. That detail adds another layer of concern for residents and legal observers who may question the integrity of past cases he touched.

Authorities Seek More Information

The sheriff's office also asked the public not to identify potential victims or share related information on social media due to the sensitive nature of the case. That request reflects a careful approach to protecting anyone who may have been harmed and ensuring the investigation is not compromised by public speculation.

The sheriff's office asked that witnesses with information relevant to the investigation contact the Lavaca County Crime Stoppers website or Facebook page, or call the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 361-217-6753. The sheriff's office said callers can remain anonymous and will be treated with discretion and respect.

With the local attorney's office recused and the Texas Rangers driving the investigation, this case now moves into a broader state-level arena. The charges against Hill are serious enough to end a legal and judicial career — and potentially result in decades behind bars. As prosecutors from outside Lavaca County step in, the community is left grappling with how someone entrusted to administer justice allegedly became a perpetrator of serious crimes.