Hood County Officials Denied Immunity in Meme Arrest Lawsuit

Texas Scorecard ^ | 7/21/26 | Travis Morgan

[CFW]

A federal district judge has denied immunity to Hood County officials who arrested a Navy veteran and journalist for posting a political meme, clearing the way for his lawsuit to move forward on the merits.

The journalist had frequently criticized public officials, including those responsible for his arrest.

By denying the motion to dismiss, the court kept the journalist’s constitutional claims alive and offered an early signal of skepticism toward criminalizing political satire.

Kolton Krottinger is a U.S. Navy veteran and journalist in Hood County who “reports on local government, interviews candidates, and publishes political commentary and analysis to the public on matters of public interest.”

[snip]

In October 2025, the Hood County Sheepdogs account made a post on the Granbury Breaking News Facebook page containing a photoshopped image that made it appear as if Tina Brown had endorsed Monica Brown for a local school board election—despite Tina actually supporting Monica Brown’s rival.

[snip]

Justice of the Peace Sissy Freeman signed a warrant for Krottinger’s arrest, citing an “intent to defraud the general public,” and Luckie arrested him on November 5—the day after the local election. Krottinger’s phone was seized at the time of arrest without a warrant, and has yet to be released.

In December, Justice of the Peace Earl “Dub” Gillum entered an order of discharge after finding that the State did not establish probable cause.

[snip]

On Sunday, Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss—finding that Krottinger had alleged sufficient claims to overcome qualified immunity and impose municipal liability.

“Krottinger has sufficiently alleged that Luckie and Sheriff Deeds violated his clearly established rights to be free from arrest without probable cause, malicious prosecution, and First Amendment Retaliation,” wrote Judge O’Connor.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; 4thamendment; constitution; dubgillum; earldubgillum; earlgillum; hoodcounty; koltonkrottinger; memes; monicabrown; reedoconnor; sissyfreeman; texas; tinabrown; travismorgan

[CFW]

This will be an interesting case to watch.

[Dacula]

What were the memes?

[Carl Vehse]

For damages in the lawsuit, pick a number and add a lot of zeroes.

[PAR35]

a photoshopped image that made it appear as if Tina Brown had endorsed Monica Brown for a local school board election—despite Tina actually supporting Monica Brown’s rival.

Most places that would support False Light invasion of privacy, but per AI, the Texas Supreme Court doesn't recognize that cause of action.

[CFW]

What were the memes?

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“Krottinger is one of multiple administrators on the Facebook page called “Hood County Sheepdogs.” The page contains a disclaimer making clear it is for satire and jokes.

In October 2025, the Hood County Sheepdogs account made a post on the Granbury Breaking News Facebook page containing a photoshopped image that made it appear as if Tina Brown had endorsed Monica Brown for a local school board election—despite Tina actually supporting Monica Brown’s rival.”

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I don’t have a Facebook page so I can’t access them.

[BenLurkin]

“Sissy Freeman signed a warrant, and Luckie arrested him.”

Sounds like a line from a song.

[griswold3]

Shades of Douglas Mackey

[gunnut]

Right but that would be a civil issue not a criminal one. These cops abused their authority and now the taxpayers will end up paying because the officers are not held accountable for their actions.