On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Tonya Spaeth Ahlschwede, District Attorney for the 452nd Judicial District, was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year at the annual conference of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) in Round Rock, Texas. With more than 1,100 participants present, Ms. Ahlschwede received the award for years of service prosecuting complex felony cases and for her leadership and advocacy as Chair of the Border Prosecution Unit (BPU), a coalition of 17 District Attorneys’ offices across the border region of the state.
The Criminal Justice Section of the Texas State Bar annually recognizes a Prosecutor of the Year for outstanding service to the Texas criminal justice system. The award is given to a prosecutor who has demonstrated a devotion to the profession of prosecution and who aspires to be a true example of a “minister of justice.” These qualities may be exemplified through trial and appellate advocacy, innovative investigation and prosecution techniques, being a catalyst for positive changes at the Texas Legislature, training and supporting other prosecutors, or spearheading new programs and services in their community or the state at large.
In her capacity as Chair of the BPU since 2021, Ms. Ahlschwede has spearheaded efforts to ensure substantial funding and substantive changes in state law to protect state borders. As the border immigration crisis came to a head, she was instrumental in working with the Office of the Governor and numerous stakeholders to lead the State’s response. She led the BPU, pulling in resources and input from Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, Texas Military Department, and Texas Division of Emergency Management to ensure adequate resource allocation for purposes of border prosecution. Her efforts, joined with local law enforcement and county officials, resulted in the creation of processing centers, county jail annexes, and remote magistration proceedings in various counties across the border region to ensure prosecution in light of the exponential increase in cases.
