Concerns about transparency and potential violations of Texas state records law have deepened following the Marfa Police Department’s deletion of a social media post introducing School Resource Officer (SRO) King Merritt. On October 16, 2024, Big Bend Times publisher David Flash filed a formal complaint with Marfa Police Chief Gilbert Carrillo after Lieutenant Nichole Fuentes admitted to deleting the post. The complaint raises significant legal questions about the department’s adherence to records retention requirements under Texas law.