UPDATE
KEMPNER, Texas — The Kempner Police Department released further details to 25 News in regard to the charges of former Kempner mayor Keith Lanard Harvey on Tuesday.
According to authorities, Harvey was arrested on three Class A misdemeanor charges: Assault causing bodily injury against a family member, interference with an emergency request for assistance and indecent assault.
He has since been released on bail, police told 25 News.
On April 8, 2023, Kempner Police Chief Heriberto Rodriguez was contacted by an individual who was given the pseudonym "Purple Tulip." She claimed she was married to and lived with Harvey. A day prior to contacting the police, Purple Tulip said Harvey had committed an act of family violence against her.
The probable cause statement shows Harvey accused Purple Tulip of having an affair, then pinned her on a bed and took off her wedding ring. Purple Tulip said that she managed to push Harvey off with her foot, before he grabbed it and twisted it. Purple Tulip told police that she tried to call 911, but claims Harvey took her phone and refused to return it. The statement states her ankle showed discoloration and swelling.
Purple Tulip said she was reluctant to pursue charges due to Harvey’s involvement in a body building competition where he had several endorsement deals, which could end if he had a history of family violence.
Those were the first two charges presented by police. The third offense occurred around August 23, 2021, authorities said.
On December 17, 2021, Chief Rodriguez was contacted by a family member of Harvey. She accused Harvey of entering her bedroom and touching her in a sexual manner. Police say this activity occurred from August-November 2021. Police were contacted in December, after she told another family member about Harvey’s alleged actions.
Investigators said text messages given to them by the assaulted family member show Harvey having sexually suggestive behavior towards her, dating back to at least July 2021. The messages also included references to sexual touching and her expressing that she did not want to be touched. After November 2021, Harvey’s text messages towards her appeared to become controlling and angry with suggestions that she delete their messages.
ORIGINAL STORY
KEMPNER, Texas — Keith Lanard Harvey, 51, was arrested on criminal charges by police around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, police told 25 News.
Authorities said that the former Kempner mayor was arrested on charges related to assault of a family member, indecent assault and interfering with an emergency call. All of which are Class A misdemeanors.
Harvey was booked into the Lampasas County Jail around 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Harvey served as Kempner mayor from 2019 to 2021, where a hostile work environment was reported after a string of resignations at City Hall.
After filing for a second term, he was defeated by Mayor John "J.W." Wilkerson.
