Tom Green County DA Allison Palmer Assigned to Midland Judge Removal Case

SAN ANGELO, TX — Tom Green County District Attorney Allison Palmer of San Angelo has been appointed to represent the state in a civil lawsuit seeking to remove Midland County Judge Terry Johnson from office over allegations he leaked a resident’s personal information. 

Judge Ben Woodward of the 7th Administrative Judicial Region, based in Tom Green County, made the assignments Aug. 10, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. He appointed Palmer, who has served as district attorney for the 51st Judicial District since 2013, and Judge R. Shane Seaton of the 118th District Court to preside over the case in Midland County’s 238th District Court. 

The removal suit, filed Aug. 6 by Midland County District Attorney Glenn Harwood under Texas Local Government Code Section 87.018(f), is titled “The State of Texas ex rel. Glenn Harwood v. Terry Johnson in His Official Capacity as Midland County Judge.”

Johnson faces a separate federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Christino “Nino America” Rodriquez, who alleges the judge retaliated against him for criticizing local government by posting his Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth on Facebook, Fox News reported. 

According to the federal complaint, Johnson posted a 2015 arrest warrant on his personal Facebook page with the caption “Convicted felon trying to be a player” less than 24 hours after Rodriquez shared federal court records involving Midland County. The charges in the warrant were later dismissed, and Rodriquez was not convicted. The filing notes that Rodriquez’s home address and telephone number were redacted while the Social Security and driver’s license numbers remained visible. 

Attorney James “Trey” Trainor, who represents Rodriquez, told Fox News the case involves “retaliation and abuse of power” and raises First Amendment concerns. Trainor said Johnson allegedly obtained the information through official access or county personnel and that the disclosure has left Rodriquez and his wife concerned about identity theft. Subpoenas have been issued to Meta, and a Texas Ranger has interviewed Rodriquez and Trainor, according to Fox News. The federal suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, lifetime identity-theft protection and credit monitoring. No dollar amount is specified. 

Harwood has said he has no role in the federal case and declined to comment on any potential criminal investigation. 

During a news conference at the Midland County Courthouse reported by the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Harwood publicly called for Johnson’s resignation and said he had filed a formal complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

“These allegations are serious,” Harwood said. “They involve potential criminal conduct, and they affect the public’s confidence in the integrity of their law enforcement data systems, the character and conduct of their elected officials and the efficacy of the justice system.”

Midland ISD Trustee Brandon Hodges has filed to intervene in the removal case, saying he wants to ensure it does not fail on a procedural issue related to Harwood’s dual role as district attorney and the resident who initiated the petition, Fox News reported. 

“I intervened so this removal case does not die on a procedural technicality tied to Glenn Harwood’s dual role,” Hodges said in a statement. 

Commissioner candidate Steven Villela and others have also called for Johnson to resign. Johnson lost his reelection bid and is expected to leave office in early 2027, when County Judge-elect Jay Marquez is set to take over, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. 

Midland County officials said they are aware of the removal filing and will ensure uninterrupted operations while the civil process continues.