A federal civil-rights lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Texas alleges that a February 2024 traffic stop in Magnolia escalated into an unlawful arrest, an invasive blood draw, denial of medical care, and public reputational harm. The case names the City of Magnolia, Police Chief Kyle Montgomery, Officer J. Cortez, Officer T. Galvan, and Sergeant P. Hudson as responsible parties in connection with the incident and its aftermath. 

Events Leading to the Stop

According to the court filing, Morgan Moffitt was driving home on February 13, 2024, after shopping for Valentine’s gifts for her daughters when Officer J. Cortez initiated a traffic stop, asserting the vehicle nearly entered another lane. The complaint maintains no traffic violation occurred and states the vehicle remained within its lane of travel, arguing that proximity to a lane divider without unsafe movement does not violate Texas law. 

The filing also describes a later position attributed to the city through an insurer, asserting the vehicle came close to crossing the line, that a third party reported erratic driving, and that prescription medication use was acknowledged. The lawsuit contends Cortez did not independently observe a violation before initiating the stop and characterizes the reported concern as mistaken or used to justify the detention. 

DWI Investigation, Arrest, and Blood Draw

The complaint states the encounter quickly escalated into a driving-while-intoxicated investigation despite what it describes as a lack of objective indicators of impairment at the outset. Any acknowledgment of prescription medication, the filing says, occurred only after the stop had already begun. 

Moffitt allegedly informed officers—including Cortez and other responding personnel—that she had undergone orthopedic surgery and had a metal rod in her leg affecting balance and mobility. Despite that disclosure, officers required balance-based field sobriety testing, according to the complaint. 

The lawsuit further alleges that Cortez prepared or contributed to a warrant affidavit used to obtain a blood sample that contained false or misleading information and omitted the disclosed medical condition. Toxicology testing later showed no alcohol or unlawful controlled substances, and prosecutors dismissed the charge after roughly ten months, stating it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Role of Supervisors and Additional Officers

Officer T. Galvan and Sergeant P. Hudson are identified in the filing as participating in the events surrounding the arrest, detention, and related decisions. The complaint also alleges that at least two additional misconduct complaints were later lodged against Galvan, which the filing cites as evidence of a broader pattern rather than an isolated incident. 

Chief Kyle Montgomery is described in the lawsuit as the final policymaker for Magnolia Police Department operations, training, supervision, discipline, internal-affairs review, and public communications related to arrests. The filing argues that departmental customs or failures in training and oversight contributed to the alleged constitutional violations. 

Medical Care and Public Disclosure

During detention, Moffitt allegedly requested prescribed medication and medical attention related to pain from her orthopedic condition. The complaint states medication was confiscated and care denied despite repeated requests and known medical needs. 

The lawsuit also alleges the Magnolia Police Department publicly posted information about the arrest on official social-media platforms before any court determination, labeling Moffitt as a DWI offender and causing reputational damage along with effects on family-court matters. An internal complaint regarding officer conduct was later closed without discipline or corrective action, according to the filing. 

Claims and Requested Relief

The legal action asserts violations involving unlawful seizure, use of allegedly false information to secure a warrant, prosecution without probable cause, deliberate indifference to medical needs, and stigmatizing government publication tied to tangible harm. It further claims municipal practices and supervisory decisions were the moving force behind those alleged injuries. 

Moffitt seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and other relief permitted by law and has requested a jury trial. Court records show the case was filed February 12, 2026. The city and the named officers are expected to respond through the court process, where the allegations remain to be tested in litigation. 

---

---

Disclaimer

The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented. 

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

A Couple of Our Other Reads

You may be interested in our publishing about a Texas judge filing a lawsuit over same-sex wedding refusals.

Or you may find our publishing on a TABC agent receiving a stipend for a degree he didn’t hold, of interest. 

Follow Us on Social Media

If you are interested in staying updated on matters about your government in Texas and other important stories, trust The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News to provide reliable information that matters to you. You can follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to stay connected and informed.

FACEBOOK: TheHawksEyeNews
INSTAGRAM: Hawk_s_Eye_C_and_N
X: TheHawksEyeNews
REDDIT: TheHawksEyeCN
YOUTUBE: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
TUMBLR: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
LINKEDIN: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News

---