COLUMBUS — Donald J.
Clark, the justice of the peace in Precinct 3 of Colorado County, turned himself in June 23 to the Colorado County Sheriff's Office after an arrest warrant was placed against him on several charges stemming from an alleged incident with facts yet to be brought out.
Clark, 60, of Frelsburg, was booked into jail on June 23 under charges of false report to police officer/law enforcement employ - ee, Texas Penal Code 37.08; offi cial oppression, under Texas Penal Code 39.03 and false report to induce emergency response, under Texas Penal Code 42.0601(b).
Official oppression carries a Class A misdemeanor but can be enhanced to a felony under spe- cific aggravating factors. This charge covers the intentional mistreatment or denial of civil rights by a public official acting in their official capacity.
False reporting to a police of- ficer/law enforcement employee is a Class B misdemeanor. There are no felony applications on this charge of 37.08. This charge concerns Clark making deceptive statements to law enforcement personnel during an active investigation.
For false report to induce emergency response, it is classi- fied as a Class A misdemeanor.
This charge penalizes reckless false reporting to emergency services.
The Texas Rangers were involved in resolving the public-integrity issue involving Clark.
According to records, the investigation culminated on June 23, when Clark was indicted, and he then turned himself in to the Col- orado County Sheriff's Office for the formal arrest and paperwork.
Clark was elected to the Colorado County justice of the peace, Precinct 3 position, and sworn in on May 11, 2023, to fill an unex pired term left vacant by the death of Judge Francis Truchard. He beat out nine other applicants and came to the position with 28 years in the Secret Service. While in the Secret Service, he served on the presidential security team of George W. Bush, Barac Obama, and Donald Trump. He was on the Hazardous Agent Mitigation Medical Emergency Response Team and frequently led task forces alongside the FBI, CIA and the ATF. He was elected again in 2026 to continue his position as JP 3.
The community has been divided as to Clark’s alleged charges. Many local colleagues and friends have defended his character as he has served the U.S. and the county.
The Banner Press has reached out to Clark for comment, but there has been no response as of press time. Clark is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
DONALD J. CLARK
