Van Zandt County Commissioner arrested on official oppression, impersonation charges
Mitchell James Curtis, 57 (Source: Van Zandt County jail roster)
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas - A Van Zandt County Commissioner was arrested Wednesday morning on felony charges of official oppression and impersonating a public servant following an investigation by the Texas Rangers, the Sheriff's Office announced.
County Commissioner Mitch Curtis arrested
What we know:
Commissioner Mitch Curtis, who represents Precinct 1, was taken into custody and booked into the Van Zandt County Jail just before 9 a.m.
He was released just after 11 a.m. after posting a combined bond of $15,000.
The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement confirming the arrest but provided no details on the allegations, citing the ongoing review.
Mitchell James Curtis (Source: Van Zandt County website)
According to court documents obtained by FOX 4 News, Curtis was indicted on both counts, alleging that on June 7, 2025, he impersonated a police officer and ordered a person to stop shooting firearms on his own property. For the official oppression charge, the indictment alleges Curtis "then and there knowing his conduct was unlawful, intentionally deny or impede (the victim) in the exercise or enjoyment of a right and/or a privilege, namely firing guns on his private property, and the defendant was acting under color of his office as a public servant, namely County Commissioner Pct. 1 of Van Zandt County, Texas."
The charge of impersonating a public servant is a third degree felony. The charge of official oppression is a class A misdemeanor.
What they're saying:
"As with any individual brought into this facility, this case will be handled professionally, impartially, and according to the law," said Sheriff Kevin Bridger. "Our responsibility is to ensure openness while respecting due process. We will release further information as it becomes appropriate."
The Texas Rangers led the investigation into the allegations against the commissioner. The charges of official oppression and impersonating a public servant are both serious offenses under Texas state law.
The Sheriff's Office stated that all procedures were conducted in accordance with state law and established policies. The office added that it "remains committed to integrity, accountability, and the fair application of the law."
Curtis ran in the November 2024 election and began his term on Jan. 1, 2025. His term is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2028.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, the Van Zandt county jail, and the Van Zandt County Commissioner's Court website.