TEXAS – – Publicly posted photographs and videos appearing to show convicted felon and political blogger Aubrey Taylor wearing body armor have renewed calls for authorities to determine whether any laws were violated.
Public court records show Taylor has felony convictions in Texas. The body armor issue surfaced in June after multiple photographs circulated online appearing to show Taylor wearing protective equipment, including while posing with political figures.
On June 29, Dr. Matthews hand-delivered photographs, videos and supporting documents to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. She requested that prosecutors determine whether the equipment qualified as body armor and whether Taylor was legally permitted to possess it.
Taylor later responded through a Facebook post, claiming he was exempt because he considers himself an investigative journalist.
Under Texas Penal Code Section 46.041, a person convicted of a felony commits an offense if the person possesses metal or body armor after the conviction. Texas law defines metal or body armor as body covering designed, made or adapted to protect a person against gunfire. The offense is classified as a third-degree felony.
Federal law prohibits people convicted of qualifying violent felonies from purchasing, owning or possessing body armor. The law provides an affirmative defense when a person obtains prior written certification from an employer stating that the armor is necessary for lawful business activity and its use is limited to that work.
On Aug. 7, Dr. Matthews announced that additional evidence had been delivered to prosecutors. The material included a social media post in which Taylor allegedly discussed possessing body armor and cited federal law. Dr. Matthews argued that Taylor could not certify himself for the employment-related defense.
She also alleged that Taylor wore the equipment at a polling location and asked authorities to review whether that incident violated any state or federal law. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Calls for an investigation intensified after Taylor posted another photograph appearing to show him wearing body armor outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. Dr. Matthews characterized the photograph as a possible attempt to challenge authorities reviewing the complaint.
“A press credential does not place anyone above the law,” Dr. Matthews said.
The body armor allegations have also renewed scrutiny of Taylor’s political relationships. Campaign finance records cited in previous coverage showed candidates, officeholders and political organizations from both major political parties reported more than $395,000 in payments to Aubrey R. Taylor Communications since 2015. The reported expenditures do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing.
Dr. Matthews later placed elected officials and candidates on notice over their payments and associations with Taylor. She called on those who paid Taylor or publicly appeared with him to explain whether they were aware of his felony record and the body armor allegations.
As of publication, no body armor charge has been announced against Taylor. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has not publicly confirmed whether an investigation is open.
The photographs alone do not establish whether the equipment qualifies as body armor under Texas law or whether a criminal offense occurred. Those determinations remain with law enforcement and prosecutors.
