Kendleton Mayor Darryl Humphrey to step down in deal over abuse of official capacity case

KENDLETON, Texas (KTRK) -- A nearly two-year-long legal battle could be drawing to a close. The Kendleton Mayor, Darryl Humphery, has agreed to step down by Jan. 1 as part of ongoing legal action between him and an RV park owner.

ABC13 started following this story in December 2022, when Humphrey was accused of not fulfilling an open records request.

Both the RV park owner, Todd Doucet, and Humphery were not satisfied with the outcome. Humphery was emotional when speaking with ABC13 about agreeing to leave office.

"I'm stepping down but not away. Keep praying for me and the city," Humphery said.

Humphery faces misdemeanors for allegedly not fulfilling open record requests and overcharging Doucet on his park's water bill, plus a felony for allegedly using city funds to pay Doucet money owed to him by Humphery.

Those charges are pending and could be dropped if Humphery keeps up his end of an agreement with Doucet.

The agreement states that Humphery must resign from the office of mayor by the first of the year, turn over all city property, and pay Doucet $5,000 in restitution.

SEE ALSO: Kendleton mayor promises transparency after indictment: 'No deviating from the truth'

Doucet said it's a slap on the wrist for the mayor.

"If you are a politician and you step down and take a plea bargain, it is not because you are innocent, and that being said, if you are guilty, it seems as though the judicial system is not on the citizen's side," Doucet said.

The Fort Bend DA said they understand why Doucet isn't thrilled, but they report running into several roadblocks, including the Texas Attorney General's office filing three motions to prevent witness testimony from the Public Utility Commission.

"When we talk about having to overcome some challenges with witness testimony, that is what we mean," Fort Bend DA Chief of Public Integrity Charann Thompson said.

Humphery said the allegations brought against him are more than one upset small business owner. Humphery believes the women of Kendleton City Council are working with the DA's office and want him out.

"The three ladies that are on the council are dictators, and it's like they don't want to see strong men do things; I mean, you see it all over. You see it in the churches and everywhere else," Humphery said.

ABC13 asked the DA's office if this was the case.

"No, honestly, this came to us, not through women on the council. This came from a complaint from Doucet, who after several months, actually years, could not get a response from the city for his request for open records," Thompson said.

Two women on the council said they are not in cahoots with the DA to remove Humphery, but they do not want to see him run for mayor again.

Humphery's agreement prevents him from running for office until the end of his current term in 2026. However, Humphery said there is a chance he will run in the future.

The pending charges will go to trial if Humphery does not step down.

No candidates have been put forward to fill the remainder of Humphrey's term.

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