Texas Judge Arrested on Felony Sex Assault and Prostitution Charges After Rangers Investigation

A Trusted Official Faces Serious Allegations

A Lavaca County justice of the peace and practicing criminal defense attorney has been arrested following a Texas Rangers investigation into allegations of misconduct. Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Travis Hill was arrested on charges of compelling prostitution, a first-degree felony; sexual assault, a second-degree felony; and solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony, according to the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the small South Texas community, where Hill held a position of significant public trust.

The investigation began about six weeks ago after Lavaca County officials became aware of allegations of misconduct involving Hill. Lavaca County Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell and the county attorney requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, and Texas Ranger James Sears conducted the investigation, which involved multiple allegations against Hill. The decision to bring in the Rangers was deliberate — when a public official is the subject of scrutiny, an independent hand matters.

Why the Texas Rangers Were Called In

Because Hill is an elected official, the Texas Rangers were asked to conduct an independent investigation. That independence is a cornerstone of how Texas handles misconduct allegations against those in power. Relying solely on local agencies in cases involving elected officials risks the appearance — or reality — of bias, and state authorities offer a layer of credibility that local investigations sometimes cannot.

Hill also works as a criminal defense attorney in Lavaca County, representing both private clients and court-appointed indigent defendants. Because of that role, the Lavaca County Attorney's Office has recused itself from prosecuting the case, and the Texas Attorney General's Office has been asked to take over the prosecution to help ensure impartiality of the judicial process. The dual role Hill played — sitting judge and defense attorney in the same county — made it essentially impossible for local prosecutors to handle the case without a conflict of interest.

Sheriff Speaks Out on Accountability

In a statement, Sheriff Steven Greenwell said the investigation was conducted without regard to Hill's public office. "No one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection," Greenwell said. "When allegations involve a public official, our responsibility is even greater because the public has entrusted us to uphold the integrity of our offices and our justice system."

The Lavaca County Attorney's Office said it generally does not comment on pending criminal cases but released information about Hill's arrest because he is an elected official. That transparency, officials argued, is owed to the public. "When an elected official is arrested on alleged felony conduct, it is critical that the citizens of Lavaca County be informed so they can follow the court proceedings," the office said in a statement. Greenwell also emphasized that Hill, like every criminal defendant, is entitled to due process.

Investigation Remains Active

The investigation remains active, according to the sheriff's office, and authorities said additional charges may be filed. That detail is significant — it suggests investigators believe there may be more to uncover. 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.

Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 361-217-6753 or submit an anonymous tip through Lavaca County Crime Stoppers. With the Texas Attorney General's Office now steering the prosecution and the Rangers' investigation still open, this case is far from over. For a small county where a justice of the peace wears multiple legal hats, the road to restoring public confidence in local institutions will likely be a long one.