Ramón Ayala Jr. Released on $2,000 Bond After Sexual Assault Arraignment

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas — Ramón Ayala Jr., son of Norteño music icon Ramón Ayala Sr., has turned himself in to law enforcement in Hidalgo County, Texas, and was arraigned on a criminal charge of sexual assault, according to a statement from Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents individuals who have filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct involving the band’s touring operation.

Ayala Jr. was released from jail the same day after posting a $2,000 bond, according to jail records.

The charge is identified as sexual assault, a second-degree felony, according to information provided to Buzbee Law Firm attorney Crystal Del Toro. The communication states that an arrest warrant was obtained the day before Ayala Jr. surrendered to the Hidalgo Police Department. He was subsequently booked into jail and arraigned.

An emergency protective order was also obtained for the alleged victim, identified in Buzbee’s statement as John Doe, and authorities notified the individual of Ayala Jr.’s arrest.

The criminal proceedings mark a significant development in a case that has drawn attention since February, when former employees and touring personnel associated with Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte filed civil lawsuits alleging repeated sexual assault, harassment and other misconduct.

Tony Buzbee Confirms Arrest and Arraignment

Buzbee confirmed the development in a public statement addressing inquiries about the case.

“In response to multiple inquiries, I can report that Ramon Ayala Jr. turned himself in and was arraigned today on a charge of sexual assault of my client, John Doe,” Buzbee said.

The attorney referenced the civil lawsuits filed earlier this year against Ayala Jr., his father, Ramón Ayala Sr., and the band and related business entities.

“At the time the case was filed, lawyers for the band publicly attacked our clients and personally attacked me, calling the civil cases a ‘money grab,’” Buzbee said.

He described the criminal authorities’ involvement as a positive step and said his firm would cooperate as appropriate to ensure justice is done while continuing to pursue the civil claims.

The arrest and arraignment represent a separate criminal proceeding from the pending civil lawsuits. The criminal charge is an allegation, and the filing of a charge does not establish guilt.

Civil Lawsuits Allege Sexual Assault and Workplace Misconduct

The criminal case follows a series of civil lawsuits filed in Hidalgo County beginning in February 2026 by former employees and personnel who worked with Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte.

The first lawsuit, filed February 17 by The Buzbee Law Firm, sought more than $25 million in damages on behalf of a former photographer and videographer identified as John Doe #1. The complaint named Ramón Ayala Jr., Ramón Ayala Sr., the band’s business entity, Liram LLC, and other associated defendants.

According to the lawsuit, the photographer alleged repeated unwanted sexual contact and harassment while working on the band’s tour, including incidents aboard the tour bus. The complaint also accused Ayala Jr. of creating a hostile work environment.

A second lawsuit, filed February 20 on behalf of a longtime vocalist and guitarist identified as John Doe #2, alleged additional incidents of sexual harassment and assault involving the band’s touring operation.

A third lawsuit followed in March, brought on behalf of another musician identified as John Doe #3. That complaint also alleged repeated sexual harassment and sexual assault while the plaintiff worked with the touring group.

Across the lawsuits, the plaintiffs alleged that misconduct occurred during the 2024–2025 period and accused Ayala Jr. of engaging in unwanted sexual contact and inappropriate behavior toward people working under the band’s touring operation. Some complaints also alleged drug and alcohol use in connection with the incidents.

These descriptions reflect allegations contained in civil complaints and have not, by themselves, been established as facts in court.

Court Dates Set in Three Civil Cases

Jail records indicate that court dates have been scheduled in each of the three civil cases involving allegations against Ayala Jr. and parties associated with Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte.

The reported schedule is as follows:

• First case: A pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 23, 2027.
• Second case: A jury trial is scheduled to begin January 19, 2027.
• Third case: Trial is slated to begin December 7, 2026.

The dates represent separate proceedings in the civil lawsuits and are distinct from the criminal case stemming from the sexual assault charge. The December 7, 2026, trial date is the earliest of the three currently reported settings.

Court schedules can change, and the dates should be checked against the applicable court dockets before publication or as the proceedings approach.

Ramón Ayala Sr. and His Son Have Denied Allegations

Ramón Ayala Jr. and his father, Ramón Ayala Sr., have strongly denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a public statement issued after the initial lawsuit became public in February, the elder Ayala said the reports had deeply hurt his family, musical group and fans. He questioned the motives behind the allegations and said his legal team was working to clarify the facts.

Attorneys representing the defense have also characterized the civil claims as an attempt to obtain money, disputing the plaintiffs’ accounts of events aboard the tour bus. The defense has described the alleged conduct as consensual horseplay rather than sexual assault.

Those denials and competing characterizations remain central to the civil dispute. The newly reported criminal charge does not resolve the allegations, and Ayala Jr. remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

A Developing Legal Case

The legal controversy has placed renewed attention on the touring organization behind Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte, the internationally recognized group led by the elder Ayala, widely known as the “El Rey Del Acordeon” (The King of the Accordion).

The civil complaints accuse Ayala Sr. and affiliated entities of negligence and other failures related to the alleged conduct. Those claims are distinct from the criminal sexual assault charge against his son.

With Ayala Jr.’s surrender, arraignment and same-day release on a $2,000 bond, the case now includes a criminal proceeding alongside three civil lawsuits with reported court dates extending from December 2026 into March 2027.

Further developments will depend on the progress of the criminal case and the separate civil proceedings.

Tejano Nation will continue to follow the case as additional verified information becomes available.

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