Republican Senate Nominee Ken Paxton's Office Gave No-Jail Plea Deals in Three Other Sex Abuse Cases, Records Show

Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton's office gave no-jail plea deals to defendants in at least three sex abuse and trafficking cases besides the Waco child abuse prosecution that has followed his campaign for months, court records show.

The cases, identified in a San Antonio Current review of court records published on Wednesday, involve high school athletes accused of sexually assaulting younger teammates, a county sheriff indicted for sexual assault, and an alleged sex trafficker.

Paxton, the Texas attorney general, has repeatedly accused local district attorneys of being too lenient.

Nine La Vernia Athletes Avoided Jail

In 2017, police in La Vernia, near San Antonio, arrested 13 varsity athletes over a hazing ritual in which at least 10 younger teammates were allegedly sexually assaulted with objects. Paxton's office took over the prosecutions to avoid conflicts of interest.

Nine of the 10 defendants offered deals accepted, pleading no contest to lesser charges such as unlawful restraint or misdemeanour hazing in exchange for deferred adjudication probation, community service, and the option of expunging the cases. 'They should never have the opportunity to wipe this away like it never happened,' the mother of one victim said in 2019. The 10th, Alejandro Ibarra, rejected every offer that December, including one carrying 30 days in jail, and denied involvement.

Sheriff's Sex Assault Counts Dropped for a Misdemeanour

A Falls County grand jury indicted then-Sheriff Ricky Scaman, a Republican, in September 2020 on felony charges of sexually assaulting two women: a City of Marlin employee and a county jail employee.

In March 2022, Paxton's office dismissed those counts in exchange for a no-contest plea to one misdemeanour count of official oppression. Scaman received deferred probation, surrendered his peace officer licence, and paid a $1,000 (£745) fine. He did not have to register as a sex offender.

Sex Trafficking Defendant Got Probation

In 2017, San Antonio authorities charged Rakim Sharkey with continuous trafficking of persons, which carries 25 years to life, alleging he forced two girls and an adult woman into sex work.

In 2023, after COVID-19 cases forced a 2022 mistrial, James Winters, the case's eighth prosecutor, offered Sharkey and co-defendant Elijah Teel probation, telling the court he was concerned about the time elapsed and that one victim could not be located. Irma Reyes, the mother of one victim, disputed that. 'Are you there for power? Or are you there to protect victims?' she told Texas Public Radio.

The judge raised the probation from five years to seven, and neither man had to register as a sex offender. Sharkey was rearrested in Corpus Christi in April 2025 on charges including burglary. Paxton's office moved to revoke his probation, and court records show he is now serving 22 years in prison.

Judge Flagged a 'Pattern' in the Waco Case

Adam Hoffman, a Waco lawyer, was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child. Paxton's office took the case after McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens recused himself because Hoffman had once sought his counsel. The 2025 trial ended in a hung jury, split seven to five in favour of guilt.

In April, prosecutors proposed a plea to two misdemeanours, indecent assault, and displaying harmful material to a minor, with time served, which amounted to one day. Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman refused. A revised 30-day deal followed, and on 27 April he doubled the term after the boy's mother told the court, 'This isn't justice, and I can't do it.' Sparkman also said, 'I'm seeing a pattern here that is concerning me.'

Hoffman surrendered his law licence and was released after 29 days.

Paxton Defends Waco Deal as He Trails in Polls

Paxton defended the outcome on Monday 28 September at a US Hispanic Business Council roundtable in Fort Worth. 'The criticism has been that I let a child predator out after one day,' he said. 'Well, guess what? They served 60 days.' Citing the boy's reluctance to testify again, he added, 'We wanted to retry it, and we decided ... we needed to protect this kid.'

Democratic nominee James Talarico has accused Paxton of giving out an 'Epstein-style sweetheart deal'. Paxton's campaign has said Talarico is 'intentionally re-traumatizing the child victim for personal gain.'

A Texas Public Opinion Research poll released on 25 September had Talarico ahead 49% to 44%, and the Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.

On Wednesday, The New York Times published leaked audio of Paxton telling lobbyists and donors that the Trump-headlined Republican convention in Dallas had hurt the party's candidates. 'Everybody's numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good,' he said. His spokesman, Nick Maddux, called the clip 'manipulated nonsense'.

Early voting runs from 19 to 30 October, with Election Day on 3 November.