# Hood County DA Recuses from Satirical Meme Case Involving Local Resident
Granbury resident Kolton Krottinger faces a felony online impersonation charge after his arrest on November 5 for a post on his satirical Facebook page, ‘Hood County Sheepdogs.’ The 355th Judicial District of Texas District Attorney Ryan Sinclair has recused himself from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety, citing his prior service on the board of Krottinger’s nonprofit, Anxiety Solutions of America.
Investigators allege Krottinger used fellow resident Tina Brown’s name without consent in a late September post supporting Monica Brown, a Granbury ISD school board candidate Tina Brown does not endorse. A search warrant traced the page’s IP address to Krottinger, who faces charges for using the identity with intent to defraud the public. His bond was set at $10,000, with initial conditions prohibiting access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
On November 19, Sinclair filed a motion requesting a substitute prosecutor. Hood County Judge Earl ‘Dub’ Gillum appointed Ellis County District Attorney Lindy Beaty to handle all prosecutions related to the case, ensuring an impartial process that upholds principles of limited government intervention in individual expressions.
The case has sparked discussions on free speech rights, particularly in the context of satirical content. During a November 18 Dallas Express forum, Texas attorney general candidates addressed whether Krottinger’s arrest violates First Amendment protections. Aaron Reitz called it an ‘anti-meme’ issue, emphasizing that such actions undermine personal freedoms in creating humorous online content. State Sen. Joan Huffman agreed the situation was wrong, while State Sen. Mayes Middleton stated Krottinger was targeted for his values, describing the prosecution as un-Texan and a clear First Amendment concern.
Krottinger, who announced his endorsement of Reitz that evening, reflected on his experience in a November 12 Facebook post. ‘It’s been a long, humbling several days since my arrest. I never imagined that exercising my right to free speech… something I swore to defend could land me in handcuffs. But here we are,’ he wrote. He expressed gratitude to Judge Gillum for lifting the bond conditions, allowing him to return to work and support his personal responsibilities.
Krottinger also thanked supporters, including state Reps. David Lowe and Wes Virdell, State Board of Education Member Brandon Hall, and Monica Brown, for raising awareness about the case’s implications for individual freedoms in local communities. Efforts to reach Tina Brown for comment were unsuccessful.
This incident highlights the balance between protecting personal identities and safeguarding free expression, underscoring the importance of personal responsibility in online interactions while advocating for limited government overreach in matters of speech.
*Source: The Texan, November 2023 (original article by Meredith Dyer)*