LA MARQUE, Texas – La Marque Police are waiting for former city manager J.B. Pritchett to turn himself in after five warrants were issued charging him with arson and falsifying job applications.
The city announced Pritchett resigned last week, but it remains unclear when he will be arrested or surrender to authorities.
KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel spoke with Pritchett briefly by phone on Tuesday afternoon. He did not share where he is and declined to comment on the charges but he hopes to share his side eventually. Pritchett said he is currently working with his attorney.
Investigators said the five charges Pritchett is accused of include arson, fraudulent or fictitious military rec, fraudulent, substandard or fictitious degree, false report to peace officer, and tampering with evidence.
The charges stem from an incident on July 3 outside Pritchett’s home, where police say he vandalized and set fire to his own fence to make it appear as if someone else was responsible. Spray-painted expletives and the phrase “Lowry Rules” — referring to La Marque Councilman Joseph Lowry — were found on the fence.
Investigators discovered materials used to start the fire inside Pritchett’s home. Chief Aragon confirmed that Councilman Lowry reported Pritchett for allegedly lying on his job applications.
Pritchett’s career in La Marque included roles as Public Relations Manager, deputy city manager, and most recently city manager. However, police say Pritchett falsely claimed military service and lied about educational degrees and schools he never attended.
“We have no record of him serving in the military,” Chief Aragon said. “If you serve in the military, you deserve extra distinction. But don’t be untruthful about it. The same goes for education. When you claim degrees you don’t have, you demean those who worked hard to earn theirs.”
Following Pritchett’s resignation, the city council accepted it last week. With five warrants issued, Chief Aragon said there is not a deadline for Pritchett to turn himself in, but he says it’s time for him to “come in and face the music.”
Attempts to reach Pritchett’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful. City officials say an interim city manager is currently in place but has submitted her resignation, which is effective next week. The city plans to meet next week to discuss the future of the city manager position.
Pritchett’s attorney released this statement to KPRC 2 on Friday:
“On behalf of my client, Joshua “J.B.” Pritchett, former City Manager of La Marque, Texas, I am issuing this statement in response to recent criminal charges filed against Mr. Pritchett.
Statement on Criminal Charges
Mr. Pritchett categorically denies all allegations contained in the five warrants issued against him, including the arson charge.
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.
Retaliatory Prosecution
These criminal 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 timing strongly suggests retaliatory prosecution rather than legitimate law enforcement. Improper Investigation Mr. Pritchett completed only one employment application with the City of La Marque, and there are no discrepancies in that application. Significantly, Mr. Pritchett was never questioned by police about any allegations before charges were filed. This failure to conduct proper investigation demonstrates the rushed and retaliatory nature of these proceedings. Notably, Mr. Pritchett was originally hired by current Police Chief Randall Aragon, the same official now leading the investigation against him.
Legal Process
Mr. Pritchett will coordinate his surrender with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office at an undisclosed time and date for his protection from further retaliation. We call upon the DA’s Office and Texas Rangers to conduct independent investigations into this matter. We remind the public that Mr. Pritchett is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We are confident the truth will emerge through the legal process and ask for privacy and respect for the family during this time. Mr. Pritchett will not be making public statements while this matter is pending. All inquiries should be directed to his legal counsel. Duana Boswell-Loechel This statement is issued solely for the purpose of protecting Mr. Pritchett’s legal rights and ensuring accurate information is available to the public. No further statements will be made outside the proper legal proceedings