Former La Marque City Manager jailed in Galveston County after “hiding” in Dallas area after warrants issued • Joshua Pritchett accused of arson, tampering with evidence, lying to authorities and falsifying job applications The arrest was made in the Dallas area by the La Marque Fire Marshal’s Office, La Marque Police Department, and the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force. Pritchett faces charges of First-Degree Felony Arson, Third-Degree Felony Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class B Misdemeanor False Report to a Peace Officer, and two counts of Class B Misdemeanor Fraud. Pritchett was arrested without incident following a felony traffic stop at the intersection of FM 1138 and State Highway 66 in the north Texas community of Fate City, said Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Melencio Villarreal. Villarreal said Pritchett had been “hiding” in the Royse City/Fate City area of Rockwall County where he has family. Fate City police assisted in the arrest, Villarreal said. Police said Pritchett was taken to the Galveston County Jail and held on a $90,000 bond. On Sunday (7/20/2025) jail records show Pritchett had been released on bond. His arrest comes a day after his attorney sent a press statement claiming that Pritchett would arrange to turn himself in to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. When authorities did not hear from him or his attorney to make those arrangements, the decision was made to go to the DFW area and make the arrest, Villarreal said. This developing story will be updated as more confirmed information becomes available. •••••••••••••• Former La Marque city manager defiant amidst criminal charges * Joshua Pritchett denies wrongdoing, claims charges are in retaliation An attorney representing former La Marque City Manager Joshua Pritchett claims her client “will coordinate” with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in. Pritchett faces arson charges, tampering with evidence, and lying about his education and military experience on his job applications. In the statement, attorney Duana Boswell-Loechel said Pritchett refuted all the allegations against him and called the criminal investigations “retaliatory.” “Mr. Pritchett categorically denies all allegations contained in the five warrants issued against him, including the arson charge,” Boswell-Loechel wrote. “These charges stem from incidents where Mr. Pritchett was the victim of harassment and intimidation. Mr. Pritchett reported incidents to law enforcement in good faith, seeking protection for his family. “Mr. Pritchett would never endanger his own family's safety, who were present during the July 3rd incident at his residence. The suggestion that he would commit arson at his own home while his family was inside defies logic and reason.” Boswell-Loechel went on to cast doubt on the criminal investigations, arguing that the charges were filed, “only after our law firm submitted a cease and desist letter on June 9, 2025, demanding that Councilman Joseph Lowry, Police Chief Randall Aragon, and the City of La Marque cease their campaign of defamation and harassment against Mr. Pritchett.” The attorney didn’t acknowledge that the cease and desist letter was sent only after the police launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Pritchett falsified his college education and claimed to have served in the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years. The city also started an administrative investigation into the allegations before charges were filed. The vandalism and arson at Pritchett’s house happened the morning after Mayor Keith Bell announced he had scheduled a council meeting to discuss the progress of the administrative investigation and Pritchett’s future with the city. “Significantly, Mr. Pritchett was never questioned by police about any allegations before charges were filed,” Duana Boswell-Loechel wrote. “This failure to conduct a proper investigation demonstrates the rushed and retaliatory nature of these proceedings.” Before charges were filed, police confirmed they had made several attempts to get Pritchett to come in for an interview, but to no avail. Bell said he also emailed Pritchett, “encouraging” him to speak with the administrative investigation's attorneys. i45NOW also contacted Pritchett multiple times before charges were filed, offering him an opportunity to explain the allegations against him. He never responded. While claiming plans to coordinate with the Sheriff's office to turn himself in, Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said on Friday that no one with his agency had been in contact with Pritchett or his attorney. Boswell-Loechel did not respond to an email sent Friday night seeking further comment on the statement. Pritchett was appointed city manager in June after working for the city since 2021. He started as a communications specialist and was named deputy city manager last year. When former City Manager Cesar Garcia was forced into a separation agreement with the city in January, Pritchett was appointed interim city manager. When he was appointed city manager in June, Bell said Pritchett was the only candidate with the qualifications to be city manager. The city charter requires the city manager to have a Master's Degree and/or five years of municipal government experience. Based on the criminal investigation, Pritchett's claims of a master’s degree are false. He also has less than five years of municipal government work experience. Soon after, Councilman Joseph Lowry, who voted against Pritchett’s hiring but never raised questions about his background before the council vote, unveiled discrepancies on Pritchett’s job applications and resumes and filed a criminal complaint with La Marque police. Lowry is a concrete pumping business owner and online provocateur known for making unsubstantiated allegations. He has waged a campaign against Bell and fellow Council Member Kimberly Yancy for years, claiming they are corrupt and part of a “criminal enterprise.” Despite those claims, Lowry has never backed up the allegations with evidence that has led to criminal charges. #JoshuaPritchett

Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2025-07-19 20:42:39 UTC