I personally use a FREE gmail account with a google voice number to text/call with. Some providers don't like it because it seems suspicious... It can be potentially traced however, if police get the number, contact google with a subpoena, court order or search warrant for the IP address...then contact the internet provider for the details. This goes for a number of electronic communication devices though...
I don't know that the police would go through all that trouble just to bust someone for this... Not sure though... Seems like they're busy enough going after people who get caught in person.
What I like best about the google voice thing is I can use a computer, tablet, or phone and check it...I can also turn it off on my phone so if someone does decide to contact me, my phone isn't buzzing. If I want to disappear I just delete the account.