A felony case tied to a satirical political meme has fallen apart in North Texas, with prosecutors formally declining to pursue charges against Granbury journalist and Navy veteran Kolton Glen Krottinger.
His attorney says the arrest and prosecution are now the basis for an upcoming federal civil rights lawsuit.
On December 22, 2025, Ellis County District Attorney Lindy T. Beaty, acting as a special prosecutor after the Hood County district attorney recused himself, issued a written rejection of the online impersonation charge that led to Krottinger’s arrest last fall.
We obtained a copy of the rejection for you here.
After reviewing the evidence, Beaty concluded the case could not proceed and directed that the charge be dismissed, Krottinger released, and all bond conditions terminated.
The charge arose from a Facebook post shared during a contentious Granbury Independent School District board election.
Krottinger runs a local political commentary page called “Hood County Sheepdogs,” which publishes interviews, criticism of local officials, and political satire.
The page clearly identifies its content as satirical.
Hellbound and Down 