A Facebook post has sparked significant legal trouble for a West Texas judge. Midland County Judge Terry Johnson now faces a federal civil rights lawsuit and an effort led by his district attorney to remove him from office.
Judge Johnson is accused of posting the personal information of a political critic, Nino America, on Facebook. This included the man’s Social Security number and driver’s license number. The post came soon after America published federal court records about Midland County.
America’s lawsuit claims Johnson used his official position to gather and disclose confidential details. He argues this was in retaliation for his criticism of local government.
Legal Actions and Allegations
Johnson’s social media post included an arrest warrant from 2015, labeling America a convicted felon. However, the charges were dismissed, and America was not convicted in that case. The lawsuit points out that while certain information was redacted, others, like Social Security numbers, were not. This selective redaction suggests intent, according to the lawsuit.
James “Trey” Trainor, representing America, states that the lawsuit is primarily about retaliation and misuse of power. He emphasizes the case’s broader implications for free speech and government accountability.
Potential Consequences
America expressed concern over identity theft due to the exposure of his personal details online. Trainor mentioned discussions with the Social Security Administration to possibly change America’s Social Security number.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and other safeguards like identity-theft protection. No specific dollar amount has been set.
Removal Effort
Aside from the lawsuit, there is a separate effort to remove Johnson from office. Midland County District Attorney Glenn Harwood has initiated this attempt, which is currently undergoing judicial review.
Brandon Hodges, a local trustee, has intervened in the removal case to prevent procedural issues due to Harwood’s dual role. Hodges wants to ensure the process continues without adding new allegations.
Public calls for Johnson’s resignation are growing. Some community members emphasize accountability for protecting residents’ privacy and rights.
Although Fox News reached out to Johnson for comment, no response has been reported. Meanwhile, investigations continue as subpoenas have been issued to verify the extent of the information’s dissemination.