HOUSTON – In Fort Bend County, investigators say online impersonation in a key political race resulted in handcuffs for a politician who was viewed by many within Democratic circles as a candidate on the rise.
Now there are questions of “What’s next?” after Democrat Taral Patel was arrested on Wednesday on third-degree felony charge of online impersonation and a Class-A misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity.
The arrest comes weeks after Patel secured the Democratic nomination in the race for County Commissioner of Precinct 3.
- SEE OUR ORIGINAL REPORT: Fort Bend Co. Commissioner candidate arrested on felony online impersonation charges
“That does not preclude that candidate continuing to run for office, that position,” Renea Hicks, an elections attorney said regarding Patel’s arrest and its impact on his candidacy.
Investigators say Patel portrayed himself as someone he is not over the internet, a violation of Texas Penal Code when done without proper consent and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person according to the code.
In legal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates, authorities say the acts of impersonation were done an account allegedly created by Patel under a different persona, where he attacked candidates—including racial attacks on himself or claimed to work with them. The usage of this account occurred online beginning in October 2022 and lasting through May of this year. He allegedly posted under the screenname “Antonio Scalywag.”
Authorities said that a statement released by Patel himself played a key role in the investigation.
In September of 2023, Patel released the following statement after claiming that he received racist messages on social media.
“As your Democratic candidate for County Commissioner, I am always open to criticism of my policy positions and stances on issues. However, when my Republican opponents supporters’ decide to hurl #racist, #anti-immigrant, #Hinduphobic, or otherwise disgusting insults at my family, faith community, colleagues, and me - that crosses a line. Fort Bend County’s diversity has made us all stronger, and these hateful images, a small sample attached here, are from a place of deep and misguided fear - incited by people like former President Donald Trump and today’s extremist Republican party fear that immigrants are ‘taking their jobs’ and setting out to hurt our own communities.”
The posts Patel was responding to are believed to be linked to the investigation that landed him behind bars.
Investigators say the acts took place primarily on Facebook. Grand jury subpoenas were issued to Meta Platforms, Google, Comcast, T-Mobile and JP Morgan Chase Bank to track the information and link it back to Patel, according to legal records.
Patel has yet to release a comment to KPRC 2 Investigates following his arrest, so it is unclear what his position is with regards to November’s election.
If Patel were to withdraw on his own because of the arrest, Democrats in Fort Bend County would have to focus on a write-in candidate, according to multiple election attorneys we spoke with on Thursday.
“The question would be, does the executive committee of the Fort Bend County Democrats have the authority—in the event this candidate withdrawals—to nominate a replacement? The short answer is no,” said Hicks.
Patel returned to run in Fort Bend County after serving in President Joe Biden’s Administration and attending law school in the Washington D.C. area.
Prior to this incident, Patel served as County Judge KP George’s first chief of staff. George released the following statement on Thursday:
“As a public official, I address the recent events involving a former employee with a deep sense of concern. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I emphasize the vital importance of upholding the principles of due process and impartial investigation. I trust that this matter will be examined without prejudice. While awaiting additional information, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring justice and accountability. I look forward to gaining a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.”
Andy Meyers, the longtime Republican incumbent, did not weigh-in on Patel’s arrest, since he says it’s a matter involving the DA’s office and the Rangers.
Meyers instead made it clear he is focused on continuing to serve the citizens of Fort Bend County through “mobility projects, repairing and replacing the streets in our oldest subdivisions, Brazos Ricer erosion control, flood mitigation and strengthening the grid.”