MAGNOLIA, Texas – Magnolia Mayor Matthew Dantzer has now been arrested amid an ongoing investigation led by Texas Rangers.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KPRC 2’s Corley Peel that Dantzer was taken into custody on a Tarrant County warrant for felony assault of a pregnant person.
Tarrant County officials have also added an additional charge for official oppression, KPRC 2 learned.
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He was first held in the Montgomery County Jail, before being moved to Tarrant County Jail Wednesday. The jail’s website currently lists his bond at $0, and KPRC 2 has not confirmed whether he is still in custody.
The investigation began after a complaint was filed by Magnolia City Secretary Christian Gable.
In the complaint, Gable alleged that while she was pregnant, Dantzer sexually harassed her and grabbed her by the throat during a work conference in Fort Worth in October 2025.
KPRC 2 News has also obtained a federal complaint filed by the city’s former human resources director.
In that filing, the former employee claims she was pushed out of her position after reporting the alleged incident involving Gable.
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The lawsuit accuses the city of First Amendment retaliation, failure of city-wide policies, and violations of the Texas Whistleblower Act.
Dantzer has denied the allegations.
In a statement released in March through his attorney, the mayor said he denies all claims and is asking for privacy and patience as the investigation continues.
KPRC 2’s Corley Peel previously reached out to Dantzer by phone.
Dantzer told Corley, “I’m not a Texas Ranger, you’ll have to talk to them or Leonard Schneider,” before ending the call.
Tuesday night’s Magnolia City Council meeting
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel was at Tuesday night’s Magnolia City Council meeting, where the mayor pro tem, Jack Huitt, called for Dantzer’s resignation.
The city secretary’s family expressed relief about his arrest.
“Honestly, it’s a step in the right direction,” said Bryan Emery, Gable’s fiancé.
During the council meeting, Huitt acknowledged Dantzer’s arrest but said the city could not formally discuss the arrest because it was not on the agenda, but he made his personal position clear.
“I have previously spoken to the mayor to resign on several occasions and I will do so again when I’m able to speak to him,” Huitt said.
Before the Texas Rangers launched their investigation, the city conducted its own internal investigation into Gable’s assault allegations. The case closed with little explanation. KPRC 2 News requested the investigative report but received a letter showing the city attorney asked the Texas Attorney General to withhold it under attorney-client privilege.
Gable filed a federal lawsuit against Dantzer and the city last week, accusing them of failing to properly investigate her assault claims and allowing retaliation against her. She says her constitutional rights were violated and is seeking damages.
Dantzer also faces a second federal lawsuit filed by the city’s former Human Resources Director, who says she was forced out of her job after speaking up about the alleged assault on Gable.
Dantzer’s attorney released a statement saying the mayor denies all allegations and remains dedicated to serving the city of Magnolia.
Emery made clear what he hopes comes next.
“Honestly, I’d like to see him locked up. I would like to see him put away for a long time. Hopefully, that puts a message out to all these other people in power that it’s not okay,” Emery said.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the city denied Gable’s request to work remotely until Dantzer’s term ends in May. A special meeting has been scheduled for April 20, where the council will discuss Dantzer’s charges in a closed executive session.
As for how a mayor can be removed from office, Mayor Pro Tem Huitt explained that a resident can file a court petition to remove a mayor for reasons such as misconduct or incompetence. If convicted of a crime, a mayor can be immediately removed from office.
Statement from Dantzer’s Lawyer
Tuesday afternoon, Douglas W. Atkinson, Dantzer’s attorney, released a statement denying the allegations against his client and asking for privacy as the investigation unfolds.
HERE’S THE FULL STATEMENT:
”We on behalf of Matthew Dantzer categorically deny the allegations. Mr. Dantzer maintains his innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to defend himself in the appropriate legal process. Mr. Dantzer remains dedicated to faithfully serving the citizens of the City of Magnolia. We respectfully ask for privacy and patience as this matter proceeds. No further comments will be made at this time out of respect for the ongoing investigation and all parties involved."
KPRC 2 has reached out to Tarrant County’s District Attorney’s Office for further details about the indictment.