WACO, Texas — Democratic U.S. candidate and Austin-area State Rep. James Talarico is demanding his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, release records tied to a plea deal in a child sex abuse case in Waco.

Talarico hosted an event outside the McLennan County Courthouse on Thursday to call on Paxton to “release the Hoffman files,” referring to Adam Hoffman, an attorney based in McLennan County who was charged with sexually abusing a young boy.

“He served less than a month in jail because Ken Paxton gave Adam Hoffman an Epstein-style sweetheart deal,” Talarico told reporters.

Talarico called for the public release of internal communications connected to the case.

“Every email, memo, text message, document relating to Adam Hoffman must immediately be made public so Texans can get answers about this corrupt deal,” he said.

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Court records show that in a plea deal arranged by prosecutors from the attorney general’s office, Hoffman pleaded guilty to the display of harmful material to a minor and indecent assault. He was sentenced to two months in prison and had his law license revoked.

The punishment has drawn criticism from some as too lenient, and questions have been raised across the political spectrum.

In a letter obtained by The Texas Bullpen, the attorney general’s office said the plea deal was a “difficult decision” that came after a 2025 trial that resulted in a hung jury. Prosecutors said they were prepared to re-try the case, but the decision to move to a plea deal was made in the best interest of the victim, to keep him from having to testify again.

“In this case, the child emphasized that he preferred to move on with his life and prioritize his mental and emotional health over subjection to the unimaginably difficult position of once again testifying against the man who abused him,” wrote assistant attorney generals Brenda Cantu and Dorian Cotlar.

Paxton’s campaign also pushed back on Thursday, accusing Talarico of exploiting the case.

“Every time James Talarico chooses to bring this case up he is intentionally re-traumatizing the child victim for personal gain. OAG prosecutors have already released information on this, but Talarico cares more about turning a child victim into a political pawn than the truth. The bottom line is that we stand with the child victim, who in this case did not wish to testify again and be forced into the same room as his abuser.It’s disgusting that Talacreepo — who brags about texting children late at night and has said he loves trans children more than anything — believes child victims should be forced against their will to be in the same room as their abuser.”

The statement, which accuses Talarico of “texting children late at night,” refers to a Facebook page that Talarico allegedly ran during his time as a teacher in San Antonio, in which posts referenced the option to call him with questions about schoolwork.

There is no record of Talarico saying that he “loves trans children more than anything.” During a 2023 podcast appearance, a host asked Talarico to share “something that you love, that’s not family or friends.” Talarico responded, “I love–and just say this because it’s on my mind–the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state Capitol to advocate for their humanity. They shouldn’t have to, but it was an inspiration to watch.”

CBS Austin asked Talarico about the Office of the Attorney General’s statement that the victim in the Hoffman case did not want to testify in a second trial.

“We know the facts of this case. Adam Hoffman admitted to abusing this child, and the fact that he only spent 29 days in jail for confessing to this crime to me is shocking,” Talarico responded. “It’s disturbing, and it is unconscionable, and I think it’s why we need answers.”

Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said the case could become a key line of attack for Talarico, but was skeptical about whether it would move voters or not.

“The obvious point is that this was a trial on heinous crimes. It ended very, very badly in a hung jury. And everyone wishes that there were a cleaner outcome. There wasn’t. And so the question is whether the Talarico campaign can hang this around Paxton’s neck or not. Cornyn tried that, didn’t work. Talarico’s going to try it.” Jillson said.