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.