Keough Alleged Sexual Assault Civil Suit Changes Venue from Harris to Montgomery County

It is a case that snuck under the radar in Montgomery County during the 2026 Primary season, having only been reported sporadically this year in the Houston Chronicle (Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough seeks dismissal of sexual assault – 1/2026), and the Magnolia Gazzette Facebook page (Sex-Assault Court Clash over Montgomery Judge Rocks Two Texas Counties – 1/2026). While several years back, when the alleged incidents were fresher, an expose by Wayne Dolcefino Media (The Sins of a Pastor – 9/2024), garnered little interest, then a few months later the case actually was reported on by The Courier’s Catherine Dominguez (Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough sues ex-church assistant over sexual harassment claim – 11/2024). Everything allegedly stems from the May 2023 hiring of Plaintiff, Ms. Susan Kenningham, then 68, by Defendant Woodland Bible Church, or WBC, and Mark Keough, who was then Senior Pastor, Director, Share Holder and officer of the WBC. The Courier has not touched the story since. Keough’s wife Kim recommended Kenningham for his assistant, after she befriended the plaintiff, finding out she was going through a divorce and was without significant income.

Keough’s alleged wording in regards to her job description indicated that she served at the pleasure of the Senior Pastor and Kenningham’s job description “requires a what it takes attitude.” Kenningham alleges that Keough used his position of power, trust and influence over her, as the basis for his own sexual gratification aims, inquiring into romantic interests, her personal life, initially misreading the angle as genuine concerns from her pastor. It soon became clear to Ms. Kenningham that the Senior Pastor’s intentions crossed over to potential scenarios in her romantic life, and whether she would be willing to have sex with individuals she would be dating. Kenningham alleges that Keough was jealous of any potential romantic suitor. In an amended petition filed by the plaintiff filed in Harris County, No. 2025-78146, 2/19/2026, 5:31 PM, she is seeking $250,000 in damages. The original petition was filed on 10/13/2025 12:57 PM, and in the documents notes Mr. Scott Leafe, WBC Teaching Elder and Treasurer, as being on the Texas Public Sex Offender Website following indecency with a 5 year old child. Wayne Dolcefino, in his documentary notes that Keough intentionally failed to notify the Church congregation of Mr. Leafe’s offense against a minor.
The Plaintiff’s Petition continued to illustrate increasingly disturbing allegations of unsolicited pictures and texts of needing her in hopes of luring her as a romantic interest, even though Kenningham clarified that she was not interested in any romantic relationship with him. Ms. Kenningham alleges that after her rebuff of his advances, Keough doubled down on his intent, allegedly touting the power of his political office, “I am the county judge and most powerful person in Montgomery County and at the snap of the finger, I could have 50 of the most beautiful women drop their pants and put their legs in the air for me.” Other comments allegedly involved her appearance, including references to Ms. Kenningham’s breasts, and engaging her in full frontal hugs with long embraces and gropes, all the while knowing her uninterest in a romantic relationship with him. By December 2023, Kenningham alleges that Keough was having sexual frustrations with his wife, and admitted to the plaintiff that he had fallen in love with her and wanted to make love to her. The situation continued to spiral out of control, with Kenningham alleging that Keough threatened to use his power as County Judge to black ball her chances at another job in Montgomery County. Her concerns include more frequent and scarier text, and Keough’s need to hear her voice when she was off work. At her apartment complex, Kenningham’s neighbor reported that Keough allegedly was posted out the facility’s gate to gain access to her apartment. The plaintiff alleges that Keough used pictures of him and President Trump as a reminder of just how powerful he was and that he was not to be crossed, which branched into this hanging of personal political and hunting memorabilia in the WBC.
Kenningham’s work situation with Keough came to an end on January 20, 2024 before a gun club event when the plaintiff dropped off refreshments as instructed. She alleges she wanted to leave, but Keough stopped her because he had signed her up as his partner., which frightened her. Ms. Kenningham retreated to her car, and claimed Keough physically kept from entering her vehicle, again reminding her of his power over women. Kenningham alleges that Keough continued with professions of love and desires to make love to her, it was then the Senior Pastor realized that members of the congregation had witnessed the altercation.

On January 24, 2024, Ms. Kenningham’s petition notes that in a meeting with Church Elders, Keough resigned his senior pastor position with WBC, of which he noted alcohol use, lusting after a woman, and being too prideful in his positions. The petition alleges that Church Elders at WBC knew of Keough’s sexual harassment of Kenningham, and chose to do nothing, taking a head in the sand approach. Even after the Senior Pastor’s departure, the abuse continued with allegations that high church members were supportive of Keough and took a negative stance of the plaintiff. By June 2024, Kenningham was forced to resign and discontinue worship at Woodlands Bible Church.

Mr. Keough in an alleged photo sent to Ms. Kenningham, and noted in her petition filed in Harris County on February 19, 2026

In a Motion to Dismiss the case filed by the Keough defense dated 1/6/2026 4:43 PM, the Defense alleges that Kenningham’s suit is a baseless attempt to discredit Mr. Keough and his longstanding commitment to public service. Claims for assault and battery, sexual exploitation, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, or IIED, must be dismissed because they are preempted by Texas Labor Code. The defense also noted that Kenningham is unable to state a claim of sexual exploitation by a mental healthcare provider, since her counsel does not allege facts supporting the elements of the claim. The statute specifically exempts members of the clergy when they provide religious, moral, or spiritual counseling and teaching.

On March 23rd MCN was on hand as opposing counsels for Keough and Kenningham met via video conference at the Harris County Courthouse, in the chambers of Judge Michael Gomez, 129th District Court to discuss the differences in the choice of venue for the proceedings. Caroline Meredith from Stone Hilton (Austin), represented Mr. Keough; while Melissa Moore from Moore & Associates (Houston), represented Ms. Kenningham. The motivation for Ms. Kenningham’s case being filed in Harris County, was their judgement that their party could not receive a fair trial in Montgomery County, due to the influence of the defendant being a sitting County Judge. Moore presented Texas Rule of Civil Procedure, Rule 257, citing the allowance of a party in a civil suit to move for a change of venue if a fair trial cannot be obtained in the current county due to prejudice, combinations of influential persons, or other sufficient causes. The motion requires affidavits from the party and at least three credible local residents, which were provided by Ms. Kenningham’s counsel.

Nearly one month after Ms. Moore filed the original plaintiff’s petition for Kenningham, Mr. Keough’s defense team filed a Motion to Transfer Venue on 11/10/2025 8:37 AM, citing Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 15.063 and Texas Rule of Civil Procedures Rule 86, noting Montgomery County as the proper venue, seeing as neither the plaintiff or defendant reside, nor any of the alleged instances at the WBC Church occurred in Harris County. In the venue transfer motion, Stone Hilton noted numerous general venue rule governances, from the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the Texas Rule of Civil Procedure, along with multiple civil case law examples.

During the venue hearing Ms. Meredith noted Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 15.017, which was not mentioned in the November Motion to Transfer Venue petition, and prior to its introduction Judge Gomez appeared frustrated at times. 15.017 dictates a mandatory venue setting for lawsuits of libel, slander, or invasion of privacy must be brought in specific counties, where the plaintiff resides at the time the claims present themselves, and where the defendant resides. The defense continued with downplaying Rule 257 concerns citing case law in the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals where the measure to support the maintenance of venue as a protection was misplaced.

As the venue hearing concluded, Judge Gomez ruled for the defense in sending the case to Montgomery County, where Ms. Kenningham’s counsel still maintains that, once the case is properly presented in a MC courtroom, they have the option to refile their initial option for a fair trial venue.

“My interpretation of Rule 257 is that it only applies once you get to Montgomery County,” said Judge Gomez. “At that point, you would have the option to change venues based on the belief that you will not receive a fair trial.”

MCN did reach out to both counsels for comments on the ruling of the venue hearing, but no word had been received as of press time.