Authorities reveal new details in Travis Hill case, investigation remains active
Published 12:08 am Saturday, July 18, 2026
HALLETTSVILLE — The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office has released new details surrounding the death of former Lavaca County Justice of the Peace Travis Hill, saying the criminal investigation into his alleged conduct remains active despite his death.
Hill, who also practiced as a criminal defense attorney, was arrested July 11 on charges of compelling prostitution, sexual assault and solicitation of prostitution. After being booked into the Lavaca County Jail, he was transferred to the Fayette County Jail, approximately 36.9-miles, where he posted bond and was released the next day.
According to the sheriff’s office, a Lavaca County justice of the peace set Hill’s bond and issued emergency protective orders prohibiting him from contacting identified victims. Authorities said the victims were notified before Hill’s release, as required by Texas law.
As a condition of his release, Hill was ordered to report to the county’s community supervision and corrections department within 72 hours to be fitted for a GPS ankle monitor.
Investigators said Hill failed to appear Wednesday in Fayette County District Court, where he was scheduled to represent clients. Authorities also said he failed to report later that day for the installation of the court-ordered GPS monitor, violating the conditions of his bond.
The sheriff’s office said Hill was not considered a fugitive between his release and the missed appointments because investigators had no evidence that he had violated his bond conditions or protective orders during that time.
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After Hill failed to comply with his bond conditions and investigators obtained additional information they said could not be publicly disclosed because of the sensitive nature of the investigation, authorities developed probable cause to believe he was intentionally evading law enforcement.
A magistrate subsequently revoked Hill’s bond and issued warrants for his arrest on all pending charges.
On Thursday, a Fayette County grand jury indicted Hill on the same charges for which he had previously been arrested. Investigators said the case was presented in Fayette County because the alleged offenses occurred there, although the investigation originated in Lavaca County.
The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers and investigators with the Texas Attorney General’s Office began searching for Hill. The U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern District of Texas, Victoria Division, later adopted the warrants and assumed responsibility for locating him.
Authorities said they intentionally did not publicize the search to protect operational security, safeguard potential victims and preserve the integrity of the investigation. Officials added they had no reason to believe the public faced an immediate threat.
According to the sheriff’s office, U.S. marshals located Hill at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence in a remote area of Gonzales County. Authorities said deputies attempted to take him into custody and gave him the opportunity to surrender peacefully.
Authorities say, that during the encounter, Hill sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the circumstances surrounding Hill’s death, a standard procedure following any law enforcement encounter resulting in a death.
Lavaca County Sheriff Steven Greenwell said the investigation into Hill’s alleged criminal conduct will continue.”This investigation did not end with Mr. Hill’s death,” Greenwell said in a statement. “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 said investigators are also examining whether anyone else knowingly participated in or facilitated the alleged offenses.
Following Hill’s death, Lavaca County Judge Keith Mudd said the county will begin the statutory process to fill the vacancy in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office.
“Lavaca County Sheriff Steven Greenwell gave notice to me last night that Travis Hill, Lavaca County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, took his own life after being found by the United States Marshals Service in Gonzales County,” Mudd said in a statement. “In the coming days, the Lavaca County Commissioners Court will take appropriate actions per state statutes and state law regarding this position.”
Mudd also extended condolences to Hill’s family and others affected by the incident.
Authorities said multiple search warrants had already been executed before Hill’s release from jail and emphasized that investigators continue to process evidence while protecting the privacy of potential victims and preserving privileged attorney-client information.
Jakob Gurley is a multimedia journalist with the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at jakob.gurley@vicad.com.