A bizarre series of events led to the arrest of former La Marque City Manager J.B. Pritchett, who is now facing multiple criminal charges.
Two days after Pritchett called police to report someone had spray-painted vulgar words on his fence and attempted to set it on fire, an arson investigator made a shocking discovery in Pritchett’s garage—tools that would directly tie him to the crime.
The Discovery and Charges
In the toolbox found in Pritchett’s garage, investigators found a can of yellow spray paint, lighter fluid, and a lighter—items that appeared to be connected to the reported arson. This discovery led to charges against Pritchett, including two felonies for arson and tampering with evidence, along with three misdemeanor charges.
One of the misdemeanors accused Pritchett of lying to police about the arson, while the other two were related to false claims he made on his résumé about his academic qualifications and military service.
The Initial Report and Investigation
On July 3, Pritchett reported finding graffiti on his white picket fence, with the message “F— YOU LOWRY RULES,” which seemed to reference La Marque City Councilman Joseph Lowry, a frequent critic of the local government.
The fence also had signs of being set on fire. This raised suspicions that the arson might have been connected to Pritchett’s long-standing dispute with Lowry, who had voted against Pritchett’s permanent appointment as city manager in May.
However, as the investigation unfolded, police quickly theorized that Pritchett might have been involved in the crime. Surveillance footage from near his home showed a person of similar height to Pritchett setting fire to the fence.
The investigation further pointed to Pritchett when a police dog trained in arson detection led them to the toolbox in his garage containing the key items used in the crime.
False Claims on Résumé
Along with the arson charges, police also revealed that Pritchett had lied about his professional credentials. He had allegedly claimed to have degrees from UT Dallas, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University, including a master’s degree in divinity.
However, police found only a bachelor’s degree in criminology from UT Dallas in his academic records. Additionally, Pritchett had claimed to have served in the Marines and received a medical discharge, but investigators found no record of his military service.
Pritchett’s Resignation and Arrest
Pritchett resigned as city manager on July 7, just days after the discovery of the items in his garage. Though police had indicated that charges against him were coming, it took almost two weeks for the formal charges to be filed.
On July 18, Pritchett’s attorney announced that he planned to turn himself in. The following day, he was arrested near Fate, Texas, about 300 miles north of Galveston County.
Pritchett was released on bond following his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court in September.
The case against Pritchett has shocked both the La Marque community and the public. The former city manager, who had a history of controversy, now faces serious legal consequences for his involvement in the arson and false claims. As the legal proceedings continue, many will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds in court.
