Controversial Legal Battle Involving Midland County Judge

A Facebook post has ignited a significant legal dispute involving a judge from West Texas. Midland County Judge Terry Johnson now faces a federal civil rights lawsuit and is under scrutiny from his own district attorney, who is working towards his removal from office.

The accusations against Judge Johnson revolve around the alleged release of personal information belonging to political commentator Cristino Rodriguez, known online as Nino America. Just a day after making federal court records available, Johnson reportedly posted Rodriguez’s Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth on Facebook.

In a 26-page lawsuit, Rodriguez claims that Johnson misused his official position to acquire this private information and retaliated by sharing it publicly. Rodriguez highlights that Johnson previously criticized local governance, suggesting a motive behind his actions.

According to Rodriguez’s complaint, Johnson shared a 2015 arrest warrant on his Facebook, labeling Rodriguez as a “Convicted Felony Trying to Become an Athlete.” However, it’s noted that the charges related to this warrant were dropped, meaning Rodriguez was never convicted.

The lawsuit points out Jacob’s choice to selectively edit information. While Rodriguez’s home address and phone number were obscured, the more sensitive details remained visible, implying a deliberate act by Johnson to harm Rodriguez.

James “Trey” Traynor, representing Rodriguez, emphasized that the case extends beyond just one post. “This case is fundamentally about retaliation and abuse of power,” he stated, asserting that it raises concerns regarding First Amendment rights and the ability of citizens to criticize government officials without fear of repercussion.

Rodriguez, who is actively engaged in the Midland community by attending events and voicing opinions on local issues, allegedly offended Johnson, leading to this retaliatory behavior.

The lawsuit claims that Johnson accessed criminal justice databases to obtain information about Rodriguez. Traynor argues that this action, if proven, underscores an abuse of power, with serious implications for both Rodriguez and public trust in judicial roles.

The exposure of Rodriguez’s data has raised fears about identity theft. Rodriguez and his wife are apprehensive about where this information could end up. “It’s a serious issue when such personal information is mishandled,” Traynor remarked. The team has also begun discussions with the Social Security Administration regarding the potential for changing Rodriguez’s Social Security number to mitigate risks.

The lawsuit seeks damages and other forms of relief, although it does not specify a monetary amount.

In parallel, Midland County District Attorney Glenn Harwood has initiated a petition to remove Judge Johnson from his position, marking a formal step under Texas law to remove locally-elected officials. Harwood indicated that there are numerous procedural steps before a removal can occur.

In an interesting twist, Midland ISD Trustee Brandon Hodges has taken steps to intervene, claiming his involvement is necessary to ensure the removal process stays on track and doesn’t get hindered by potential conflicts related to Harwood’s dual roles as district attorney and resident.

Hodges insists he is not trying to replace Harwood but wants to ensure that the process continues without legal entanglements that could derail it. Other local voices, like Commissioner candidate Stephen Villela, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for accountability in public office.

“No elected official is above the law,” Villela stated, reinforcing the idea that public officials must protect the rights and information of the citizens they represent.

Harwood clarified that the efforts for removal are separate from Rodriguez’s lawsuit, although there’s mention of potential criminal implications surrounding Johnson’s actions. Furthermore, both Rodriguez and Traynor were questioned by the Texas Rangers regarding the online release of sensitive information.

The growing unrest in the community, paired with calls for Johnson’s resignation, is placing increasing pressure on him. Johnson’s involvement in these matters, especially his failure to move forward in the primaries, could spell the end of his term, which is set to conclude in early 2027 if he remains in office.