FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2024
Texas
volunteer firefighter was arrested on felony arson charges
ALPINE, Texas — A volunteer
firefighter and emergency medical services (EMS) crew member in Alpine, Texas,
was arrested July 5 on suspicion of setting multiple brush fires in the area.
David Matthew Neet, 44, of
Alpine, Texas, was arrested by Brewster County Sheriff’s Officers in connection
with multiple wildland fires spanning 2023 – 2024.
An initial Brewster County
Sheriff’s Office investigation found the origins of the serial arson fires
suspicious, prompting Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement
investigators to work with them to further investigate and determine the cause
of the fires.
Neet is currently being held
on a $300,000 bond at the Brewster County Detention Center on 20 counts of
Texas Penal Code 28.02 Arson F2.
As mandated by the 34th
Texas Legislature, Texas A&M Forest Service enforces all laws related to
the protection of forests and woodlands and prosecutes violators. Arson is a
state jail felony punishable by up to 20 years and no less than two years in a state jail facility and a
fine of up to $10,000.
“We investigate wildland
arson cases, and work to bring those responsible to justice,” said Jarred
Lemmon, Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service.
“The success of this case would not have been possible without the work of Brewster
County Deputy Holquin.”
Since Jan. 1, 2024, Texas
A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement personnel have responded to 70 wildfire
investigations and 48 timber theft complaints.
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Editor's Note: A correction has been made to an earlier version which stated that arson, a second degree felony, was punishable by up to two years in a jail facility. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years and no less than two years in a state jail facility.
Contacts:
Ronny Dodson, Brewster
County Sheriff, 432-837-3488, Sheriff.dodson@co.brewster.tx.us
Jarred Lemmon, Assistant
Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service,
(903) 756-5571, jlemmon@tfs.tamu.edu
Texas A&M Forest Service
Communications, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu