Charges dismissed in 2020 Harris County voter fraud conspiracy case
The Harris County DA dropped multiple felony charges against conservative activist Steven Hotze and ex HPD captain Mark Aguirre.
HOUSTON — Several charges were dropped against a conservative Houston activist and a former police captain after a case stemming from an alleged 2020 voter fraud conspiracy scheme.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare announced Tuesday that seven of nine felony indictments against Steven Hotze and former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre have been dismissed.
Prosecutors filed motions to dismiss all four felony charges against Hotze and three of the five felony charges against Aguirre. The case involved allegations that Aguirre ran an air conditioning repairman off the road and pulled a gun on him, believing the man was transporting thousands of fraudulent ballots. No ballots were ever found. Hotze had been accused of organizing the operation.
“This deeply troubling case shows how toxic conspiracy theories can fuel real-world violence that endangers people in our community,” said District Attorney Teare in a statement.
Aguirre will still face prosecution on two remaining felony charges: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (a firearm) and unlawful restraint. The DA’s office determined there was insufficient evidence to prove the other charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
The dismissed charges against Hotze included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful restraint, aggravated robbery, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Aguirre had three similar charges dismissed.
The current administration also said the previous district attorney’s office had filed notices of intent to seek hate crime enhancements in January 2025. These enhancements were withdrawn.
