Texas Attorney General

Securing justice for Texans by investigating and prosecuting criminal activities, including crimes of human trafficking, internet crimes against children, election fraud, assisting local law enforcement in prosecutions and appeals, investigating Medicaid fraud, apprehending fugitives, and providing support to victims.

Motels, Trucking, Lawyers, and Human Trafficking
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Motels, Trucking, Lawyers, and Human Trafficking

Jacob Bryant, PR Coordinator at Lanier Law Firm, sent us over some resources. It got me thinking about how we might consider working together with legal groups. Here’s where it all started: “We have put together a guide about the connection between the trucking industry and human trafficking. We have included information about why human…

AG Paxton Announces Verdict Reached in Hunt County Human Trafficking Case
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AG Paxton Announces Verdict Reached in Hunt County Human Trafficking Case

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the jury has reached a verdict in a human trafficking case against Jeffrey Barret in Greenville, Texas. The Hunt County jury found Barret guilty of abusing his 3 adopted children after he subjected them to continuous abuse through isolation and coercion, making the children work at his puppy mill…

NCMEC Parent CONNECT Child Safety Discussion series: Gaming & Live Streaming
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NCMEC Parent CONNECT Child Safety Discussion series: Gaming & Live Streaming

Find out who is gaming, what are the risks to children and teens, safety strategies and reporting options.

REVIEW: Com­mer­cial Lodg­ing Train­ing Video “HUMAN TRAFFICKING: HOW HOTEL EMPLOYEES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
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REVIEW: Com­mer­cial Lodg­ing Train­ing Video “HUMAN TRAFFICKING: HOW HOTEL EMPLOYEES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

This is, essentially, an unskippable video and a certificate form saying you have watched the video. Really. And this is provided by the Texas Attorney General. Let me make this perfectly clear: there is no test for understanding, the certificate is granted by collecting all the letters while you watch the video.

Surprisingly, collecting letters is actually more proof you’ve watched a video than most other video-only courses.

Paxton Joins Multi-State Effort to Stop Amendments that Benefit Sex Traffickers
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Paxton Joins Multi-State Effort to Stop Amendments that Benefit Sex Traffickers

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a multi-state letter with other attorneys general objecting to the American Law Institute (ALI) proposed amendments to the Model Penal Code (MPC). If adopted, the amendments  would negatively affect human trafficking victims by reducing legal protections and reducing criminal liability for human traffickers. The amendments would also increase the risk that those purchasing sex or profiting from it could escape responsibility for their role in sex trafficking. In addition, ALI’s proposed amendments would remove sex offender registration requirements – which are intended to protect the public and especially children – from several felonies: sex…

Paxton’s Human Trafficking Division Announces 99-Year Sentence in Hunt County Human Trafficking Trial
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Paxton’s Human Trafficking Division Announces 99-Year Sentence in Hunt County Human Trafficking Trial

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Barbara Barrett, of Greenville, has been found guilty of Continuous Trafficking of a Child in Hunt County and received a sentence of 99 years in jail. Barrett and her husband, Jeffery Barrett, are accused of abusing and neglecting their adopted children while forcing them to work in a puppy mill…

Making an Impact in the 87th Texas Legislative Session
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Making an Impact in the 87th Texas Legislative Session

It has been one of the greatest joys of my work at Allies to see us grow, change, and adapt to the needs of the moment. The last 18 months were no different. From dealing with the effects of COVID-19 to launching Lighthouse as a statewide data platform, I am beyond proud of how our…

Paxton Applauds Supreme Court Ruling on Facebook; Can be Held Liable for Sex Trafficking on its Platform
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Paxton Applauds Supreme Court Ruling on Facebook; Can be Held Liable for Sex Trafficking on its Platform

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton applauds a recent Supreme Court of Texas ruling that Facebook can be held liable for the actions of sex traffickers who use its platform to recruit and prey on children. The opinion makes it very clear that Big Tech does not have the authority to “create a lawless no-man’s-land on…

Paxton Commends Legislature for Making Texas First State to Penalize Buying Sex with a Felony
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Paxton Commends Legislature for Making Texas First State to Penalize Buying Sex with a Felony

Attorney General Ken Paxton released the following statement on the passing of HB 1540, the Human Trafficking Prevention Taskforce’s omnibus bill which creates a separate offense for buying sex and raises to the level of a state jail felony the penalty for buying sex from an adult. “Texas is the first in the country to…

Paxton’s Human Trafficking Unit Arrests Six in Coryell County
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Paxton’s Human Trafficking Unit Arrests Six in Coryell County

The Human Trafficking Unit of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Criminal Investigations Division made several noteworthy arrests in Coryell County this week. Angelena Yvonne Cedillo (Mata), 45, of Gatesville Angelena Yvonne Cedillo (Mata), 45, of Gatesville was arrested by investigators with the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding warrant for Continuous Trafficking of Persons during…