The Harris County DA dropped a number of felony costs in opposition to conservative activist Steven Hotze and ex HPD captain Mark Aguirre.
HOUSTON — A number of costs had been dropped in opposition to a conservative Houston activist and a former police captain after a case stemming from an alleged 2020 voter fraud conspiracy scheme.
Harris County District Lawyer Sean Teare introduced Tuesday that seven of 9 felony indictments in opposition to Steven Hotze and former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre have been dismissed.
Prosecutors filed motions to dismiss all 4 felony costs in opposition to Hotze and three of the 5 felony costs in opposition to Aguirre. The case concerned allegations that Aguirre ran an air-con repairman off the street and pulled a gun on him, believing the person was transporting hundreds of fraudulent ballots. No ballots had been ever discovered. Hotze had been accused of organizing the operation.
“This deeply troubling case reveals how poisonous conspiracy theories can gas real-world violence that endangers individuals in our neighborhood,” mentioned District Lawyer Teare in a press release.
Aguirre will nonetheless face prosecution on two remaining felony costs: aggravated assault with a lethal weapon (a firearm) and illegal restraint. The DA’s workplace decided there was inadequate proof to show the opposite costs past an inexpensive doubt.
The dismissed costs in opposition to Hotze included aggravated assault with a lethal weapon, illegal restraint, aggravated theft, and interesting in organized felony exercise. Aguirre had three comparable costs dismissed.
The present administration additionally mentioned the earlier district legal professional’s workplace had filed notices of intent to hunt hate crime enhancements in January 2025. These enhancements had been withdrawn.
