Texas Woman Arrested Under Bomb-Threat Law for Facebook Post About Town's Water Quality
By
abawany
A weekday bagel. Dependable, satisfying, no fuss.
Summary
Jennifer Combs, a Texas woman with no prior criminal record, was arrested on a state jail felony charge for a Facebook post criticizing the town of Trinidad's water quality. The post claimed residents had been hospitalized due to bacteria in the water, which the city initially called false. Officials charged her under Texas Penal Code § 42.06 — a statute typically used for fake bomb threats or fabricated emergencies. The city later admitted the water was undrinkable, raising serious concerns about the disproportionate use of a felony anti-terrorism law against a resident exercising free speech about a public health issue.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledJennifer Combs had never gotten so much as a speeding ticket.
The charge is felony false alarm or report under Texas Penal Code § 42.06, a statute designed for people who call in fake bomb threats or fabricate emergencies.
Trinidad's police chief and local officials decided it also applies to a woman who ran a Facebook post about the town's water supply.
You might also wanna read
Boulder County extends $300 monthly direct cash assistance program for low-income residents
Boulder County has extended a direct cash assistance program that provides monthly payments to low-income residents. The article profiles Da
denverpost.com·2h ago
Clashes Erupt at Newark's Delaney Hall as Immigration Detention Center Becomes Protest Flashpoint
The article covers escalating protests and clashes between masked demonstrators and ICE agents at Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detentio
Rolling Stone·21h ago
ProPublica Tracks Historic Surge in Habeas Corpus Petitions by Detained Immigrants
ProPublica is tracking a historic surge in habeas corpus petitions filed by detained immigrants challenging the legality of their detention
Sustainable Westborough presents decarbonization roadmap to unlock climate grants
Sustainable Westborough has presented a nonbinding 25-year decarbonization roadmap focused on electrifying and improving efficiency in schoo
Families Sue U.S. Government Over Unauthorized 1960s RSV Vaccine Trial on Black Infants
The families of two Black infants who were unknowingly enrolled as test subjects in a mid-1960s vaccine trial for RSV (respiratory syncytial
nytimes.com·2d ago
Vermillion County Plan Commission votes to recommend banning solar plants and lithium-ion battery storage
The Vermillion County Plan Commission voted 6–1 on May 26, 2026 to recommend that county commissioners remove solar power plants as a permit