Baptist Pastor Plays Doctor:

Performs Breast & Pelvic Exams

BY JOSÉ BORJÓN
The Brownsville Herald

January 20, 2007 — The trial of a Harlingen clergyman accused of practicing medicine without a license has been set for April 30.

Arthur Daniel Hayes, a Baptist pastor, appeared in court on Friday before state District Judge Abel Limas, where a motion seeking restrictions on publicity and a request that the district attorney’s office be removed from the case were to be addressed.

Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos asked Limas to reset the motions to give “both parties” more time to gather information about the case, so the motions will be heard on April 20.

Hayes, 56, is charged with one count of sexual assault, three counts of practicing medicine without a license, one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of theft, according to court documents.

The alleged incidents took place between August and October 2002, court documents show.

Hayes is accused of performing medical exams, including pelvic exams, breast exams and other procedures for female patients, when he worked at a clinic in San Benito, according to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Hayes was arrested Dec. 19, by the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. He was released from the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito on Dec. 21, after posting a $75,000 reduced bond on all charges. His original bond was $200,000, according to court documents.

jborjon@brownsvilleherald.com

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