WEST TEXAS

Volunteer firefighter facing 20 arson charges, Texas A&M Forest Service says

Officials believe volunteer firefighter is responsible for starting 20 fires over two years

Texas A&M Forest Service law enforcement, file.
Texas A&M Forest Service

A volunteer firefighter in West Texas is facing felony arson charges after investigators say he intentionally set multiple brush fires.

The Texas A&M Forest Service said it began investigating several brush fires after deputies with the Brewster County Sheriff's Office labeled them suspicious.

Officials with the forest service said 44-year-old David Neet was arrested and charged with 20 counts of arson, though they didn't reveal how they identified him as a suspect or reveal any other details about the investigation or the damage caused by the fires.

β€œWe investigate wildland arson cases and work to bring those responsible to justice,” said Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer for Texas A&M Forest Service, Jarred Lemmon. β€œThe success of this case would not have been possible without the work of Brewster County Deputy Holquin."

Neet is being held on a $300,000 bond at the Brewster County Detention Center. Arson is a second-degree felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. It's unclear if Neet has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

The department said they have responded to 70 wildfire investigations since Jan. 1.

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