Topline: Texas authorities say a Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals tried to arrest him days after felony sex-crime charges were filed.
Published: July 20, 2026 10:04 pm ET
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Justice of the Peace Travis Hill
HALLETTSVILLE, TX — A Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals located him in Gonzales County and tried to take him into custody days after he was charged with multiple felony sex crimes, according to Texas authorities.
According to KSAT, marshals found Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Travis Hill at a remote location in Gonzales County and gave him a chance to surrender peacefully. The sheriff’s office said Hill then fatally shot himself. No law enforcement officers were injured.
The station reported Hill, who also worked as a criminal defense attorney, had recently been accused of compelling prostitution, sexual assault, and solicitation of prostitution after a Texas Rangers investigation that began roughly six weeks earlier.
Authorities said the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office stepped aside because Hill was both an elected official and a practicing defense lawyer, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office was asked to take over prosecution.
Officials have said the investigation remains active and are still asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Texas Rangers, the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, or Crime Stoppers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Lavaca County Justice Of The Peace Dies By Suicide During Arrest Attempt After Sex-Crime Charges
Texas authorities say a Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals tried to arrest him days after felony sex-crime charges were filed.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 20, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Justice of the Peace Travis Hill
HALLETTSVILLE, TX — A Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals located him in Gonzales County and tried to take him into custody days after he was charged with multiple felony sex crimes, according to Texas authorities.
According to KSAT, marshals found Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Travis Hill at a remote location in Gonzales County and gave him a chance to surrender peacefully. The sheriff’s office said Hill then fatally shot himself. No law enforcement officers were injured.
The station reported Hill, who also worked as a criminal defense attorney, had recently been accused of compelling prostitution, sexual assault, and solicitation of prostitution after a Texas Rangers investigation that began roughly six weeks earlier.
Authorities said the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office stepped aside because Hill was both an elected official and a practicing defense lawyer, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office was asked to take over prosecution.
Officials have said the investigation remains active and are still asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Texas Rangers, the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, or Crime Stoppers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Lavaca County Justice Of The Peace Dies By Suicide During Arrest Attempt After Sex-Crime Charges
Texas authorities say a Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals tried to arrest him days after felony sex-crime charges were filed.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 20, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Justice of the Peace Travis Hill
HALLETTSVILLE, TX — A Lavaca County justice of the peace died by suicide after U.S. Marshals located him in Gonzales County and tried to take him into custody days after he was charged with multiple felony sex crimes, according to Texas authorities.
According to KSAT, marshals found Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Travis Hill at a remote location in Gonzales County and gave him a chance to surrender peacefully. The sheriff’s office said Hill then fatally shot himself. No law enforcement officers were injured.
The station reported Hill, who also worked as a criminal defense attorney, had recently been accused of compelling prostitution, sexual assault, and solicitation of prostitution after a Texas Rangers investigation that began roughly six weeks earlier.
Authorities said the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office stepped aside because Hill was both an elected official and a practicing defense lawyer, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office was asked to take over prosecution.
Officials have said the investigation remains active and are still asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Texas Rangers, the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, or Crime Stoppers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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