A Montgomery County man accused of secretly giving abortion-inducing medication to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent has been indicted on two first-degree felony charges in a case prosecutors say could be the first of its kind under Texas’ abortion law.
A Montgomery County grand jury indicted 25-year-old Jon Rueben Demeter on charges of performance of an abortion and injury to a child, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials announced the indictments during a Wednesday press conference featuring District Attorney Mike Holley, Sheriff Wesley Doolittle, Chief Prosecutor Laura Hill, and lead investigator Detective Brandon Bartoskewitz.
Prosecutors allege Demeter administered abortion medication to a pregnant woman in February 2026 without her knowledge or consent, resulting in the death of the unborn child and causing serious bodily injury.
“We believe this is the first time in the state of Texas it has been used to prosecute anyone in the state,” Holley said while discussing the abortion statute, which went into effect on August 25, 2022, 60 days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Authorities emphasized that the case does not involve a consensual abortion.
According to investigators, deputies were called to a hospital in February after the woman sought medical attention and reported she believed she had been given abortion medication without her knowledge.
Sheriff Doolittle said investigators later determined Demeter allegedly obtained abortion medication online and had it shipped to his home.
“That investigation revealed that Jon Reuben Demeter obtained abortion medication through the Internet and had it shipped to his home,” Doolittle said, ABC 13 reported.
Investigators allege Demeter crushed the medication and mixed it into a drink.
“He covertly crushed that medication and mixed it in a water bottle with a liquid I.V. packet, and this was done with this specific intent to cause the death of the child,” Doolittle said.
Officials identified the unborn child as Presley Mae. Authorities said the fetus was approximately 14 weeks along.
“That baby, Presley Mae, was stillborn at the hospital, weighed about 55 grams,” Doolittle said, per ABC.
Investigators said the woman intended to continue the pregnancy, while Demeter allegedly wanted her to obtain an abortion and had offered to pay for out-of-state travel.
Holley said prosecutors considered multiple possible criminal charges before determining the abortion statute most directly addressed the allegations.
Defense attorney Rick DeSoto, who is not connected to the case, said consent is likely to become a central issue as the case proceeds.
“In this case, it’s basically an assault where a person is causing serious bodily injury or death to a fetus… without their consent, without them knowing about it,” DeSoto said, Fox 26 reported.
The district attorney’s office said the charges are punishable by five years to life in prison if convicted.
“This case represents allegations of deliberate deception that resulted in devastating consequences,” Holley said, per Hello Woodlands. “The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue justice based on the facts, the evidence, and the laws of the State of Texas.”
Chief Prosecutor Laura Hill said the allegations involve issues of personal safety and bodily autonomy.
“These allegations describe conduct that is both deeply troubling and profoundly harmful,” Hill said at the press conference, per Hello Woodlands. “Our responsibility is to carefully evaluate the evidence, apply the law as written, and seek justice on behalf of victims and this community.”
Demeter was arrested on February 23 and has remained in the Montgomery County Jail since then. The case has been assigned to the 221st District Court under Judge Lisa Michalk.
Officials said the investigation into how the abortion medication was allegedly obtained remains ongoing.
Last year, The Dallas Express reported on a similar case in Parker County involving Justin Anthony Banta, who allegedly secretly administered abortion-inducing drugs to his pregnant girlfriend, leading to a miscarriage. In that case, the suspect was charged with capital murder and evidence tampering, with a trial date still pending.
