A member of the Texas City Communications and Marketing team, Derek Miller, was arrested for allegedly pretending to be La Marque City Council Member Joseph Lowry on Facebook. Miller is accused of a serious crime: online impersonation, which is a third‑degree felony.
What Happened
Derek Miller was arrested on Tuesday, facing charges of impersonating Joseph Lowry on Facebook. Under Texas law, online impersonation—when someone pretends to be another person online—is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The Council Drama
Joseph Lowry has recently been at the center of several controversies. His own City Council colleagues even raised the idea of censoring him. Additionally, a lawyer for City Manager J.B. Pritchett sent Lowry a cease‑and‑desist letter, accusing him of harassment and defamation online.
Despite these tensions, Lowry defended himself: when ABC13 asked if his style could cross the line into harassment, he said no. He believes that asking tough questions is a right both for journalists and elected officials.
Blocked on Social Media?
Lowry claims he was blocked from Texas City’s official Facebook page because he is a vocal critic of some city officials. He explained, “I’m a critic, so they blocked me on social media.” This digital disagreement set the stage for the impersonation incident.
The Fake Posts
Court records say that starting last October, several positive posts popped up on the Texas City page, written from a fake account pretending to be Lowry. These posts praised officials with whom Lowry had feuded and spoke against his own views. Lowry pointed this out to ABC13, noting the strange tone of the posts.
Reactions and Replies
Lowry says he’s never met or spoken with Miller. ABC13 reached out to Miller’s listed address and contacted Texas City City Hall to interview the mayor and communications staff. No one agreed to comment directly, but the city released a statement saying they don’t discuss personnel issues.
Lowry compared the whole situation to something out of a Netflix drama, saying, “It sounds like a Netflix movie.”
This case shows how social media can be misused to create confusion and harm reputations. A public servant was arrested for allegedly impersonating a council member, fueling an already tense political environment. The episode highlights the need for transparency and trust among officials and the community.
Lowry’s insistence on journalistic freedom and asking hard questions clashes with the city’s more controlled messaging, raising questions about who speaks for the public and who controls the narrative online. As this legal case unfolds, it reminds us that online identity must be handled carefully—and that civic trust can be fragile.
This story is a reminder that even official pages aren’t immune to fraud, and that strong oversight and honesty are essential to maintaining confidence in local government.
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