Texas Mayor Arrested for Allegedly Choking Pregnant City Employee

Shocking Allegations Rock Small Town

Magnolia Mayor Matthew "Doc" Dantzer was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony assault of a pregnant person after allegedly attacking his city secretary during a work conference in Fort Worth last October. The victim, City Secretary Christian Gable, alleges that while she was five months pregnant, Dantzer sexually harassed her and grabbed her by the throat during the Texas Municipal League's annual conference.

According to the federal lawsuit filed by Gable, the alleged assault occurred when Dantzer "suddenly — and violently" grabbed the woman's throat and pinned her against a column after attempting to pull down her pants. Gable claims she managed to push him off and run into her hotel room following the traumatic encounter.

The lawsuit reveals a disturbing pattern of behavior, alleging that Dantzer exhibited sexually-charged conduct toward Gable for years, including showing up uninvited at her family home during lunch breaks after "catching on" to her routine.

Whistleblower Retaliation Claims

The allegations are corroborated in a separate lawsuit filed by Kristy Powell, the city's former human resources director, who accuses Dantzer of retaliating against her for enforcing HR policies and reporting the assault. Powell's working conditions became so intolerable after filing her complaint that she felt compelled to resign in November 2025.

Both lawsuits accuse the city of First Amendment retaliation, failure of city-wide policies, and violations of the Texas Whistleblower Act. Powell claims city leaders failed to take action and expected her to "take the high road" by tolerating harassment and disrespect.

During Tuesday's city council meeting, the council denied Gable's request to work remotely until Dantzer's term ends in May, forcing her to continue working in the same building as her alleged attacker.

Legal Proceedings and Political Fallout

According to the victim's family, Dantzer was indicted by a grand jury on charges of assault and official oppression-sexual acts by an official. At Tuesday night's city council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Huitt called for Dantzer's resignation.

Dantzer has denied all allegations through his attorney, who released a statement in March asking for privacy and patience as the investigation continues. His legal team maintains that "Mr. Dantzer maintains his innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to defend himself" while remaining "dedicated to faithfully serving the citizens of the City of Magnolia."

Implications for Local Government

A special city council meeting has been scheduled for April 20 to discuss Dantzer's charges in closed executive session, with officials explaining that a mayor can be removed from office through a court petition filed by residents for misconduct or incompetence. Records show Dantzer is not running for re-election, and his term ends in May.

This case highlights critical issues facing local governments nationwide: protecting employees from workplace harassment, ensuring proper investigation of complaints, and maintaining accountability among elected officials. The dual federal lawsuits and criminal charges suggest a systemic failure to address misconduct allegations promptly and effectively.

As small towns across America grapple with similar governance challenges, the Magnolia case serves as a stark reminder that no community is immune from abuse of power. The outcome of these proceedings could set important precedents for how municipalities handle sexual harassment allegations and protect whistleblowers who speak out against misconduct.