HOWE, Texas — Three Texas firefighters have been arrested on child sex crime charges following an investigation.
Howe police asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct involving members of the Howe Volunteer Fire Department, KXII reported.
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Following an investigation by the Texas Rangers, David Perez and Dalton McCaslin were each arrested on three counts of sexual assault of a child, while Joshua Ryals was arrested on two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, according to KXII.
All three were booked into the Grayson County Jail on March 26.
Texas Commission on Fire Protection records state Perez most recently worked for the Irving Fire Department and also served as a volunteer with the Howe Volunteer Fire Department. He previously spent about a month with the Van Alstyne Fire Department.
The commission’s website lists McCaslin as most recently employed by the Allen Fire Department. He also previously served as a volunteer with the Howe Volunteer Fire Department and Prosper Fire Department.
Ryals most recently worked for the Melissa Fire Department, according to the commission’s website. He previously worked for the Paris Fire Department and the Van Alstyne Fire Department.
The City of Howe, the City of Van Alstyne and the City of Melissa have all issued statements:
“The City of Howe is aware of recent events related to Howe Volunteer Fire Department. The City of Howe and the Howe Police Department were made aware of serious allegations regarding inappropriate conduct involving Howe Volunteer Fire Department. No City employee was directly involved. These matters did not involve any patient. Upon learning of the allegations, there was immediate attention and response. After initial investigation by the Howe Police Department, the Texas Rangers were contacted for assistance early so that any review of the issues would be by an independent source with highly skilled investigators. The City of Howe and Howe Police Department have cooperated with an ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers. The actions of the City of Howe and the Howe Police Department were intended to stop any improper action, preserve the integrity of the investigation and to respect the privacy of those coming forward. This matter involves protected information including an ongoing criminal investigation, privacy matters, and confidential information. To protect the privacy of all parties involved and to avoid any interference with the ongoing matters, the City and Howe Police Department cannot provide further details at this time. We are committed to keeping our community informed as appropriate while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.”
“The City of Van Alstyne has been made aware of the arrest of two individuals formerly associated with the Van Alstyne Fire Department in connection with serious allegations of crimes against children. Both individuals resigned from the Department more than a year prior to the arrests and are no longer employed by the City. The investigation and arrest of the individuals was made by the Texas Rangers acting in conjunction with the Howe Police Department. The City will cooperate fully with any requests of law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of these matters, but the City is not involved in the law enforcement component of the cases.
Because of the ongoing criminal justice aspects of this matter, the City is limited in its ability to comment further, however, the City reiterates its condemnation of any actions that harm children and confirms its ongoing commitment to promote public safety and protect its citizens.”
“The City of Melissa is aware of the arrest of a former member of the Melissa Fire Department in connection with allegations of indecency with a child sexual contact. The individual resigned prior to the arrest and is no longer employed by the City. The arrest was made by the Texas Rangers at the request of the City of Howe Police Department. This is an active investigation being handled by an outside agency. The City of Melissa is not involved in that investigation and will defer all questions to the appropriate investigating agency. The City of Melissa takes the safety and well-being of minors seriously and remains committed to maintaining the trust of the community it serves.”
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