Texas City’s Communications Director Arrested as La Marque Investigation into a fake Joseph Lowry Social Media Page Expands UPDATED: Includes details from the probable cause affidavit used to make the arrest Court record: Jennifer Laird “was involved in the creation of the posts” and “authored” posts from fake profile Jennifer Laird, the communications director for the City of Texas City, was arrested Thursday (9/11/2025) on a warrant for online impersonation, connected to the La Marque Police Department’s probe into someone fabricating a fake Facebook profile claiming to be La Marque City Councilman Joseph Lowry. A media release from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office mistakenly stated that Laird had been charged with online harassment. Laird was arrested at Texas City City Hall by a Galveston County Sheriff's Detective, who was asked to serve the warrant by La Marque Police investigators. Earlier this year, Derek Miller, an employee working with Laird, was arrested and faces charges of online impersonation. La Marque investigators reportedly discovered a series of text messages between Laird and Miller indicating that the communications director knew about the fake Lowry page and may have been involved in a “plot” to spread misinformation claiming to be Lowry. As communications director, Laird reports directly to Mayor Dedrick Johnson. Johnson was absent from City Hall on Thursday when i45NOW attempted to get a comment on Laird's arrest. A message was left with his administrative assistant, and a text message was sent to his city-issued cell phone. As of 4:45 PM Thursday, he had not responded. Court records state Miller, using city computer servers and the internet, created a social media page impersonating La Marque City Council Member Joseph Lowry. The probable cause affidavit includes an April 13 text exchange where Laird and Miller discuss what Lowry would say in a comment on a city post. Miller: “What would you take Lowry say” Miller: “I’m going to start with, coming from the guy who wanted the dike to be a cruise ship destination“ Laird: “That’s painful to read” Laird: “First, certificates of obligation are not voted on. You would think a former elected official would know that. Second, no one is proposing 90 million on anything. Third, this city has already achieved greatness ... despite people like you.” Miller: “Copy and paste.” Miller: “Thank you” La Marque detective Dashiel Cantu stated he found a comment with the same wording from the fake Joseph Lowry account on a city social media post. “Laird was not only aware of the fraudulent Joseph Lowry Facebook profile, but was involved in the creation of the posts and even authoring a post herself,” Cantu wrote in the probable cause affidavit used to charge Laird with a third-degree felony. A search warrant for Laird’s phone confirmed that the number Miller texted belonged to Laird, the affidavit states. Lowry, who frequently criticizes Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson and other officials, often posts inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims on social media, including his personal accounts and his pseudo-news site, the Lowry News Network. Miller is accused of creating a doppelgänger of Lowry's social media account and posting supportive comments on city social media pages that were actually the opposite of Lowry’s views. In his criminal complaint filed in October 2024, which initiated the investigation, Lowry claims his ongoing criticisms of Johnson and other city officials eventually led to him being blocked from commenting on Texas City's social media pages. Meanwhile, the fake Joseph Lowry account posted complimentary comments and was allowed to comment freely. The communications office manages the city’s social media accounts. Laird was booked into the Galveston County Jail on a bond of $10,000. Miller, meanwhile, is scheduled to be in court for his case on Sept. 16, according to court records. At last check, Miller remained employed by the city.

Posted by i45NOW Zach at 2025-09-11 16:49:35 UTC