UPDATE: On December 5th, the charges against Krottinger were dropped.
Original Post:
HOOD COUNTY, TX - Kolton Glen Krottinger of Granbury, a 36-year-old Navy veteran and local ranch owner, was arrested on November 5, 2025, by Hood County deputies for allegedly impersonating a local political activist on social media. He faces a third-degree felony charge of online impersonation under Texas Penal Code §33.07.
According to a criminal complaint, the incident centers on a Facebook post created on the page “Hood County Sheepdogs” that appeared to be made by Tina Brown, a political activist who frequently gives public input at county commissioners’ meetings. The post indicated Brown supported a candidate for the Granbury Independent School Board, which Brown said she did not make and believed had misled the public.
Brown first reported the post to authorities on September 30, and deputies received authorization to file a complaint on October 6. Investigators linked the post to Krottinger and traced it to his cellphone. Krottinger also owns the social media page Hood County Breaking News.
Krottinger’s attorney said the post was intended as a joke.
Krottinger is also known for operating a 21-acre ranch in Hood County that serves as a mental health resource for veterans and first responders. In January 2025, he was named an honorary admiral of the Texas Navy by Governor Greg Abbott.
Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds issued a detailed statement regarding the arrest, emphasizing the legal process followed:
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He stated that the Sheriff’s Office enforces the laws as written by the Texas Legislature and does not create, selectively interpret, or exempt anyone from the law based on political affiliation, personal relationships, or public opinion.
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Deeds explained that the case began when a private citizen filed a sworn complaint alleging online impersonation. The complaint was reviewed by the District Attorney’s office and deemed legally sufficient. A district judge then signed a warrant for Facebook records, and only after gathering evidence and establishing probable cause was an arrest warrant issued.
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The sheriff acknowledged that many in the community have strong opinions about the statute and its interaction with free speech. He emphasized his belief in the First Amendment and said that concerns about the law should be addressed by legislators at the Texas Capitol, not by law enforcement selectively enforcing or ignoring the law.
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Deeds said, “My job is to enforce the laws on the books today, without fear or favor. Tomorrow's laws are in your hands and the hands of the legislators you elect.”
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He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to serving all Hood County residents with integrity, transparency, and respect for the Constitution.
Krottinger is scheduled to face the court for the charge, though the date has not been publicly released.
