‘Tech-Illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies’ Arrest Texan Over ‘Felony-Level Trolling’ [WATCH]

A Navy veteran in Hood County, Texas, was arrested earlier this month after local authorities alleged he violated the state’s online impersonation statute by posting a satirical social media image.

The Hood County Sheriff’s Office charged Kolton Krottinger with felony “online impersonation-name/persona create page” in the third degree, though his attorney maintains the post was political humor.

Krottinger, who operates the Blue Branch Historic Ranch, a veterans’ mental health center in Granbury, was arrested on November 5.

His detention appears tied to an October 2 Facebook post containing a fake screenshot formatted to resemble a real post from a rival local activist.

The image used the activist’s profile picture and name above text expressing support for then–Granbury ISD school board candidate Monica Brown.

According to the complaint, “The Victim states that she does not support Monica Brown for this election and stated that the public is being misled by the post as to what the Victim’s actual beliefs are concerning this particular election race.”

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Rob Christian, Krottinger’s attorney, told the Dallas Express the image should not constitute a criminal offense.

“After 25 years of experience as a district attorney and criminal defense attorney, I have never seen anyone get arrested for engaging in political speech,” Christian said, describing the post as “a meme.”

Local officials also questioned the basis of the arrest.

Hood County Constable John Shirley told the outlet that the activist who was depicted “very openly, loudly, and publicly hates” Brown.

Shirley added that the satirical nature of the image was widely recognizable.

“It’s a picture of a political sign that anybody who knows the person whose account this was pasted onto would know that it’s fake and a joke,” he said.

Shirley also voiced concern about the broader implications.

“I’m outspoken about the First Amendment. I believe in the Constitution, I believe in the Bill of Rights,” he said.

“This kind of stuff really smells of authoritarianism.”

Under Texas state law, it is a crime to use “the name or persona of another person” to “harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person.”

Sheriff Roger Deeds told Blaze News, “this case is still under investigation so I cannot comment further on it,” but the sheriff’s office still appeared to reference the matter in a November 10 bulletin posted on Facebook.

The bulletin stated, “The Hood County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of numerous social media posts with regards to bullying, harassment, threats and similar, directed towards citizens in our community.”

It continued, “While certain online posts may seem offensive, cruel, threatening or inappropriate to some, much of what is posted online is protected by the 1st amendment. However, these acts may sometimes constitute a criminal offense, such as the example below, from a recent and notable case.”

The announcement cited Texas Penal Code § 33.07 governing online impersonation and encouraged additional potential victims to file reports.

The arrest prompted an online petition from Nate Criswell, former chair of the Hood County Republican Party, urging the district attorney to drop the charges.

“Tech-illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies in Hood County, Texas arrested my friend for felony-level trolling,” Criswell wrote.

Tech-illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies in Hood County, Texas arrested my friend for felony-level trolling.

Kolton runs a free veteran retreat out of his house. @DanPatrick the senate passed a resolution for his veteran work last session.

HCSO had him under investigation for… https://t.co/ByHjXZlkm2

— Nate Criswell (@granburynate) November 9, 2025

Texas attorney general candidate Aaron Reitz also weighed in, arguing the case did not appear to satisfy statutory requirements.

“From what I can tell, Kolton Krottinger created an obviously satirical meme,” Reitz said.

He continued, “Moreover, his conduct doesn’t appear to meet the ‘intent’ requirement under Texas Penal Code § 33.07 (Online Impersonation). On its face, this case seems far outside the scope of the statute’s text, purpose, and precedent.”

Reitz added that the charges might ultimately be dismissed. “But that provides little immediate relief and doesn’t undo the current or past injustices that have led to this point,” he said.

“Kolton may also have recourse under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 if the County has deprived him of his First Amendment rights, which I strongly suspect it has done. The longer this situation continues, the greater the potential liability for Hood County.”

On Wednesday, Brown, the former school board candidate at the center of the post, filed her own complaint regarding Krottinger’s arrest and treatment.

“Mr. Krottinger shared a harmless political satire meme related to a local school board election. He was arrested, handcuffed, placed in solitary confinement, classified as ‘high-profile,’ had his phone confiscated, and denied access to social media, which is his livelihood,” Brown wrote.