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HALLETTSVILLE — Authorities say the investigation into former Lavaca County Justice of the Peace Travis Hill remains active despite his death July 16 as investigators continue searching for additional victims and determining whether anyone else may have been involved in the alleged criminal activity.
The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office released additional detai ls this week about the investigation that began with Hill’s July 11 arrest on charges of compelling prostitution, solicitation of prostitution and sexual assault.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hill was released on bond July 12 after being transferred from the Lavaca County Jail to the Fayette County Jail. As part of his bond conditions, he was ordered to report for placement of a GPS ankle monitor within 72 hours.
Investigators said Hill failed to appear in Fayette County District Court on July 15, where he was scheduled to represent clients as a criminal defense attorney, and also failed to report for installation of the court-ordered GPS monitor.
Authorities said those violations, along with additional investigative information that has not been publicly released, led a magistrate to revoke Hill’s bonds and issue new arrest warrants.
A Fayette County grand jury later returned indictments on the same charges.
The warrants were adopted by the U.S. Marshals Service, which located Hill at a residence in Gonzales County on the evening of July 16.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, marshals attempted to take Hill into custody and offered him an opportunity to surrender peacefully. During the encounter, Hill suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances surrounding Hill’s death.
Sheriff Steven Greenwell said the investigation into the underlying criminal allegations will continue.
“This investigation did not end with Mr. Hill’s death,” Greenwell said. “Our investigators, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue every credible lead, identify any additional victims and thoroughly investigate the full extent of the alleged criminal conduct brought to our attention.”
Greenwell also said investigators are working to determine whether any other individuals knowingly participated in or facilitated the alleged criminal activity.
Authorities said anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, Lavaca County Crime Stoppers, the Texas Rangers or the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
