Texas Judicial Candidate's Husband is Registered Sex Offender, Court Records Reveal
Christina Montes, a 44-year-old Democratic candidate running for judge of County Court at Law No. 2 in El Paso, Texas, is married to a registered sex offender who assaulted one of her relatives, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail and El Paso Matters.
Husband's Criminal History and Sex Offender Status
Court records show that her husband, Juan Manuel Montes, also 44, is required to register as a sex offender for life. This requirement stems from a 2011 incident where he was charged with indecency with a child by contact and sexual performance by a child involving a 12-year-old female relative of Christina Montes.
In 2013, Mr. Montes accepted a plea deal, and the charges were formally dropped in 2020 after he completed seven years of community supervision. Despite the dismissal, he must update his information on the Texas sex offender registry four times annually. Notably, the judge who approved the plea deal, 171st District Judge Bonnie Rangel—who is retiring this year—donated $150 to Christina Montes' campaign.
Additional Legal Issues and Background
Further court records reveal that Manuel Montes was part of a group of 'bounty hunters' working for 9ONE5 Bail Bonds arrested in 2018. They were accused of kidnapping a woman and child to compel a person on bond to surrender, though charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence. Christina Montes represented 9ONE5 Bail Bonds in a related lawsuit.
Mr. Montes has an arrest record dating back to 1998, including charges for possession of a prohibited weapon, robbery, and forgery, all of which were dismissed. The couple married in 2006 and, according to Christina Montes' Facebook page, are parents to six children. They have previously faced charges for contributing to non-attendance due to their children's significant unexcused school absences.
Candidate's Professional and Campaign Details
Christina Montes obtained her law degree from the now-defunct Whittier College School of Law in 2018 and passed the Texas State Bar in 2019. She operates Montes Law Firm, specializing in criminal, family, and immigration law. However, she is currently facing a lawsuit from her former landlord over breach of contract related to her law office building.
Montes is a candidate in the May 26 Democratic primary runoff election for judge of County Court at Law No. 2. With no Republican running, the winner will take office on January 1, 2027, serving a four-year term presiding over misdemeanor cases such as DWIs, family violence, burglaries, and prostitution.
Pictures posted on Facebook show the couple campaigning together at recent events. The Daily Mail has contacted both Montes for comment, but no response has been reported at this time.
