Harris County District Attorney's Office

08/20/2026

Justice for two Houston children

Manuel Martinez Jr. has been found guilty of Super Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing how Martinez repeatedly victimized two children, ages 5 and 6, in 2024. After their initial outcries, both courageous children were able to provide investigators with critical details of the abuse they endured.

Our office is filled with Handprints for Healing canvases created by children who have survived abuse. The painting pictured here is the work of one of these brave survivors.

Martinez has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors:
Mikeala Morris/HCDAO Crimes Against Children
Nidia Ventura/HCDAO Crimes Against Children

08/19/2026

A jury has found Erik Arceneaux guilty of murder for the July 2018 death of Maria Rodriguez – despite the fact that Maria’s remains have never been found. Maria and Arceneaux met at the gym where he worked as a personal trainer and dated for only a few months.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare prosecuted the case himself, alongside HCDAO Chief of Staff Lauren Byrne. The top prosecutors presented compelling evidence, including Arceneaux’s purchase of a chainsaw and trash bags on the day Maria disappeared. They also showed jurors digital cell phone data and various surveillance videos tracking Arceneaux’s movements. In the sentencing phase of trial, they called a survivor to the stand who suffered an attack that may have paralleled what happened to Maria. Arceneaux’s former girlfriend testified that she broke up with him in 2010 and moved into an undisclosed apartment. However, he found, attacked, and kidnapped her at gunpoint.

Arceneaux was sent to prison for 5 years for that aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Erik Arceneaux is now sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Maria Rodriguez.

08/16/2026

Another Pride Parade is in the books, Harris County!

Thank you to everyone who came out, celebrated, and showed their support, and to the HCDAO volunteers who helped make it happen. Pride is about standing up for equality, lifting up our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and showing up as allies.

Together, we make Harris County vibrant. Together, we make Harris County proud.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

07/31/2026

Couldn’t be more fitting to celebrate National Intern Day with our Intern Closing Argument Competition...

Cheers to these finalists and all our hardworking students who chose the HCDAO for summer 2026.

Take a good look, folks. The next gen of potential prosecutors is a force. Seeing their passion and advocacy skills in action—wow. We’re in good hands, Harris County.

A special congrats to this year’s champion, Javier Lopez. We can’t wait to see what’s next for all of you.

07/29/2026

Justice for Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constable Katherine Hutson and her 7-year-old daughter, Kacey.

On Nov. 22, 2024, Deputy Constable Hutson was stopped behind a construction crew on I‑10 while working traffic detail. Her job was to keep those workers safe. Hutson’s emergency lights were on, and Kacey was asleep in the backseat area.

At 3:07 a.m., Omar Jose Alvarado, driving his Mazda, slammed into Hutson’s Chevy Impala. Her car erupted into flames, killing the mother and daughter. Alvarado and his front seat passenger survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries.

Alvarado, 24, was found guilty of two counts of intoxication manslaughter, which includes manslaughter of a peace officer.

The jury sentenced Alvarado to 25 years for the deputy's case and 20 years for her daughter's case. Today, the judge in the 228th District Court decided Alvarado will serve those sentences one after the other.

07/28/2026

“We can stop the criminal justice cycle by events like THIS.” - Sean Teare

Second annual Back-to-School Huddle Backpack Blitz = success.

Thanks to CJ Stroud, C.J. Stroud Foundation, Houston Texans, and Chris Hollins for partnering with us to give 150 students brand-new, free backpacks and supplies before they head back to class.

Shout out to all our office employees and community members who donated!

07/14/2026

07/13/2026

Si usted presenció el tiroteo fatal del señor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, ocurrido aproximadamente a las 6:50 a. m. del martes 7 de julio de 2026, o si tiene fotografías o videos relacionados con el caso, por favor compártalos con la Fiscalía del Condado de Harris.

https://bit.ly/hcdaocrdfr

07/13/2026

ICYMI: DA Teare joins Pct. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis regarding the independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

07/10/2026

If you were an eyewitness or have video/ photos relevant to the 6:50 a.m. fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, use the secure link below to upload your info.

https://bit.ly/hcdaocrdfr

The Harris County District Attorney's Office will continue pursuing all investigative avenues in this case.