THE TRINIDAD FILES
Part II: The State Arrives
April 20–April 27, 2026
While the Trinidad Police Department continued investigating a Facebook post, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) continued investigating the complaints residents had already submitted to the State.
These were two completely separate investigations.
One sought to determine whether a Facebook post violated Texas law.
The other sought to determine whether Trinidad's public water system complied with Texas drinking water regulations.
The records show that by April 20, TCEQ had moved beyond reviewing complaints and conducted an on-site investigation.
April 20, 2026
TCEQ Conducts an On-Site Investigation
After receiving multiple complaints between April 2 and April 7 regarding brown water, TCEQ investigators arrived in Trinidad.
According to the official investigation report, inspectors met with Jeremy Crocker, who TCEQ identifies as the Aqua Services Contract Operator, not as a City employee or Public Works Director.
The State documented operational deficiencies, inspected the water system, collected information, and determined corrective actions were necessary.
This was no longer simply residents making complaints.
The State was now documenting the condition of the public water system itself.
April 21, 2026
TCEQ Requires a Boil Water Notice
One day after the inspection, the City of Trinidad issued an official Boil Water Notice.
The notice specifically states that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the City to notify customers due to low chlorine residual levels in portions of the water distribution system.
This was not a voluntary precaution.
It was a regulatory action required by the State following its investigation.
Residents were instructed to boil water before drinking, cooking, or making ice until the notice could be lifted.
This official notice directly confirmed that TCEQ had identified conditions requiring immediate public notification.
Why This Matters
Just twelve days earlier, on April 9, Judge Scott McKee had signed a Facebook search warrant based on an affidavit alleging Jennifer Combs' Facebook post contained false information.
By April 21, however, TCEQ had required an official Boil Water Notice because of documented deficiencies within Trinidad's water system.
While the Boil Water Notice did not state that bacteria had been confirmed in the water, it did establish that the State found conditions serious enough to require emergency public notification.
The existence of legitimate water system problems was no longer speculation.
It was documented by the State itself.
April 23, 2026
The Boil Water Notice Is Lifted
After corrective actions and required testing, the City announced that the Boil Water Notice had been lifted.
Normal water use resumed.
The lifting of the notice, however, did not erase the fact that TCEQ had already documented deficiencies requiring State intervention only days earlier.
The State's investigation remained part of the official record.
April 26, 2026
Arrest Affidavit Signed
Three days after the Boil Water Notice was lifted, investigators sought an arrest warrant.
Justice of the Peace Jamie Fawns signed the arrest affidavit charging Jennifer Combs with False Alarm or Report, a state jail felony.
By this point in time, investigators already knew several documented facts:
TCEQ had received multiple citizen complaints beginning April 2.
TCEQ had opened an investigation before the Facebook post.
TCEQ had conducted an on-site inspection.
TCEQ required the City to issue a Boil Water Notice.
The water system had documented operational deficiencies requiring corrective action.
The affidavit nevertheless alleged that Combs knowingly circulated false information concerning Trinidad's water system.
Whether all material facts known to investigators including the existence of the State investigation and documented deficiencies were fully presented to the magistrate would later become a significant issue raised by Judge Scott McKee.
April 27, 2026
The City's Own Public Notice
The day after the arrest affidavit was signed, the City of Trinidad published another official public notice.
This notice announced a temporary conversion from chloramine to free chlorine and explained why the change was being made.
Under the heading "Why is the City making this change?", the notice states:
"The amount and various locations of dirty water complaints."
The notice also explains that flushing and disinfectant conversion were intended to improve water quality throughout the distribution system.
Jeremy Crocker's contact information appeared on the notice as the public contact for questions regarding the water system.
Why April 27 Is Significant
The City's own published explanation acknowledged that the water system was experiencing enough dirty water complaints to justify changes in treatment and distribution practices.
This public notice was issued one day after the arrest affidavit accusing Jennifer Combs of making a false report.
It represents another official acknowledgment that complaints about dirty water existed and that corrective measures were underway.
End of Part 2 continue to part 3