Magnolia Mayor Matthew ‘Doc’ Dantzer arrested, council sets April 20 censure meeting

Magnolia City Council will meet April 20 to consider censuring Magnolia Mayor Matthew “Doc” Dantzer following his arrest on April 14.

The announcement of the special meeting came on the same day as the mayor’s arrest, at Magnolia City Council’s previously scheduled regular meeting.

Dantzer was arrested April 14 and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a felony charge of assault on a pregnant person, per a Montgomery County jail representative. His arrest follows a Texas Rangers investigation tied to allegations that surfaced late 2025.

As previously reported by Community Impact, former Magnolia Human Resources Director Kristy Powell sued the city and Dantzer, alleging retaliation after reporting what the lawsuit describes as an October 2025 incident involving City Secretary Christian Gable during a Texas Municipal League conference in Fort Worth.

What happened

Dantzer is being held at the Montgomery County jail with third-degree felony charges for assault on a pregnant person, a Montgomery County jail representative said. He is slated to go before a judge for a bond hearing April 15.

In an April 14 statement, Dantzer’s attorney Douglas W. Atkinson said he and his client “categorically deny the allegations.” The statement also said 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,” the statement reads.

Why this matters

Following Dantzer’s arrest, Magnolia City Council called a special meeting for April 20 that includes an item to consider censuring the mayor, according to the agenda.

The agenda also states the council could meet in executive session to receive legal advice on criminal charges filed against the mayor and then reconvene in open session to consider action on items discussed behind closed doors.

At an April 14 council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jack L. Huitt Jr. said the city learned of Dantzer’s arrest that same day. Huitt also said he had previously asked Dantzer to resign “on several occasions” and would do so again when he was able to speak with him.

“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 regarding the city secretary lawsuit,” Huitt Jr. said. “The city was not aware of the lawsuit until after the agenda was posted last week; Texas Municipal League, intergovernmental risk pool, the city insurance has been made aware of the lawsuit.”

How we got here

Per documents from Powell’s lawsuit, regarding the October 2025 incident, Gable told Powell that Dantzer made inappropriate sexual comments and physical advances during the conference. In early April, Sheridan Nolen, press secretary for the Texas Department of Public Safety, told Community Impact the Texas Rangers have an active and ongoing investigation.

This is a developing story and Community Impact will update it as more information becomes available.

Community Impact is awaiting public information requests from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.