HOUSTON — David T. Brown, 28, was arrested in Houston and charged with tampering with a government record for allegedly selling altered disabled parking placards through social media. Investigators said Brown modified blue permanent-disability placards by adding driver license numbers and other details to make them appear legitimate, then sold them for $150 each.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations and Tax Office Investigations Unit made the arrest. Court records show the placards in question were not issued by the Harris County Tax Office, though authorities believe they originated from another tax office in Texas. How Brown obtained the placards and who purchased them remains under investigation.

Brown appeared in court Monday evening and posted a $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday morning.

“Aside from being against the law, this is wrong on many other levels,” Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said in a statement. “Disabled parking is for people who are truly disabled and have a legally issued permit. It’s just terrible because people every day rely on that parking for mobility and to ensure that they can get out and not have to park far away from their location. We have to be more respectful and watch our disabled community and their parking needs.”

Authorities warned that anyone using an illegally obtained placard could face misdemeanor charges, including fines, jail time, or community service. “So if you bought these for $150 and you’re continually using them, you can be arrested and charged with the fraudulent use of a handicap placard,” he said. He urged individuals to destroy or anonymously surrender such placards.

Detectives are working to identify buyers and trace the placards to their source. “We’re going to track where these actually came from, and then we’ll notify that local authority to start an investigation,” he said.