According to arrest affidavits filed by the Texas Rangers, a teenage girl who was 16 years old at the time joined the Howe Volunteer Fire Department as a junior firefighter in January 2022. Over the following months, she was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse by at least three adult male members of the department. The alleged misconduct reportedly spanned nearly a full year.
The victim came forward to the Howe Police Department in May 2025, sharing allegations against multiple department members. Recognizing the need for an unbiased investigation, Howe police handed the case over to the Texas Rangers. After nearly ten months of thorough investigative work, three suspects were arrested on March 26, 2026.
The Three North Texas Firefighters Charged in the Child Abuse Case
- David Yosimar Perez-Glass: Charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child. He had been working at the Irving Fire Department since 2023 and was placed on administrative leave immediately after his arrest. According to court documents, the alleged abuse began during the victim’s very first month at the department.
- Dalton Joe McCaslin: Also charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child. McCaslin had been employed at the Allen Fire Department for more than two years. He was placed on administrative leave on March 25, 2026 — just one day before the arrests were publicly announced.
- Joshua Todd Ryals: Charged with two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact. Ryals had been working with the Melissa Fire Department, where he had just been named Paramedic of the Year on March 16, 2026 — a mere ten days before his arrest. He resigned from the Melissa Fire Department just hours before he was taken into custody.
Firefighter of the Year Arrested on Abuse Charges
One of the most disturbing details in this North Texas firefighter scandal is the public recognition given to Perez-Glass during the period when the alleged abuse was reportedly taking place. In 2022, the Howe Volunteer Fire Department honored him with its Firefighter of the Year award and promoted him to lieutenant — all while, according to court documents, he was allegedly exploiting a 16-year-old junior volunteer in his care.
The arrest affidavits paint an even more unsettling picture. Court records allege that Perez-Glass and other department members kept countdown timers on their phones tracking how long it would be until the victim turned 18. If accurate, this detail points to deliberate, premeditated behavior rather than isolated incidents of poor judgment.
The same troubling pattern applies to Ryals. He was celebrated as Paramedic of the Year just ten days before being handcuffed and charged with child sex crimes. The sharp contrast between the public image these men maintained and the conduct alleged in court documents has left communities across North Texas questioning how something like this could go undetected for so long.
The Fire Chief’s Resignation and What It Means for the Investigation
Adding another layer of complexity to this case, Howe Fire Chief Robert Maniet abruptly resigned on February 12, 2026 — more than six weeks before the arrests were made. No official explanation was provided at the time. On March 17, just nine days before the Texas Rangers made their arrests, the City of Howe posted a job listing for a new Fire Chief.
Whether Chief Maniet’s departure is directly connected to the investigation has not been officially confirmed. However, the timing has drawn significant public attention. The City of Howe released a statement clarifying that no city employee was directly involved in the misconduct, and that the department responded swiftly once the allegations were brought to their attention. The statement also confirmed that the incidents did not involve any patients — addressing concerns about the department’s emergency medical services responsibilities.
Ignored Warnings: How the System Failed a Young Victim
Perhaps one of the most troubling revelations to emerge from the arrest affidavits is that the warning signs were visible — and dismissed. According to court documents, at least one other woman who worked at the department around the same time attempted to report Perez-Glass for what she described as inappropriate sexual advances. Instead of being taken seriously, she was reprimanded by fire department administration for going outside the chain of command. She left the department shortly after.
This is a pattern that child safety advocates have seen far too many times. When institutions prioritize internal hierarchy over the well-being of those they are meant to protect, abuse can go on for years. The original victim did not come forward until May 2025 — more than three years after the alleged abuse first began.
Warning Signs to Watch for in Youth Volunteer Programs
- Adults who repeatedly seek one-on-one time with minors outside of official duties or supervised settings
- Complaints or concerns from young volunteers being dismissed, ignored, or met with punishment
- A culture within the organization where questioning leadership is discouraged or penalized
- An absence of formal safeguarding policies, background checks, or oversight for adults working with minors
- Adults showing unusual personal interest in a minor’s age, physical development, or personal life
Texas Firefighter Child Abuse: This Case Is Not an Isolated Incident
While the Howe case is the most high-profile Texas firefighter child abuse story to emerge in 2026, it is not the only one. Around the same time, Joshua Andrew Dyba, a former San Antonio firefighter, was sentenced to four years in prison after a Comal County jury found him guilty on multiple counts of child sexual assault. Dyba had served with the San Antonio Fire Department since 2017 before being arrested in October 2024.
These cases send a clear and uncomfortable message: a uniform and a public service role do not make someone beyond reproach. In fact, positions that carry built-in community trust can sometimes be deliberately sought out by individuals who wish to gain access to vulnerable people — including children. That is why robust safeguarding practices are not optional; they are essential.
Legal Charges and What Comes Next
Under Texas law, sexual assault of a child is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying a prison sentence of two to twenty years. Indecency with a child involving sexual contact is a third-degree felony, carrying two to ten years in prison. Given that Perez-Glass and McCaslin each face three felony counts and Ryals faces two, each suspect could potentially face significant prison time if convicted on all charges.
Both McCaslin and Ryals posted bond after their arrests. The cases are currently moving through the Grayson County court system. Perez-Glass remains on administrative leave from the Irving Fire Department. The City of Howe has stated its commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing criminal investigation.
Following the arrests, fire departments across North Texas have been prompted to re-examine their junior volunteer programs, internal complaint procedures, and safeguarding protocols. While those conversations are overdue, they represent a necessary step toward preventing similar tragedies in the future.
FAQ:
Q.1. Who are the Texas firefighters arrested for child abuse in 2026?
Three men affiliated with the Howe Volunteer Fire Department in Grayson County, Texas, were arrested on March 26, 2026: David Yosimar Perez-Glass, Dalton Joe McCaslin, and Joshua Todd Ryals. At the time of their arrests, all three were also employed at separate fire departments across North Texas — in Irving, Allen, and Melissa, respectively.
Q.2. What charges do the arrested firefighters face?
Perez-Glass and McCaslin were each charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child. Ryals was charged with two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact. All of these are felony offenses under Texas law, carrying potential prison sentences ranging from two to twenty years per count.
Q.3. Who led the Howe, Texas firefighter abuse investigation?
The Howe Police Department initially received the victim’s complaint in May 2025. Recognizing the need for an independent review, they brought in the Texas Rangers to lead the investigation. The Rangers conducted a thorough inquiry over approximately ten months before making arrests in March 2026.
Q.4. Was any firefighter honored despite the alleged abuse taking place?
Yes. Perez-Glass received the Firefighter of the Year award from the Howe Volunteer Fire Department in 2022 — the same year the alleged abuse reportedly began. Separately, Ryals was named Paramedic of the Year by the Melissa Fire Department on March 16, 2026, just ten days before he was arrested on child sex crime charges.
Q.5. How can someone report suspected child abuse in Texas?
Anyone in Texas can report suspected child abuse by calling the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) hotline at 1-800-252-5400. The line is available around the clock, seven days a week. Reports can also be submitted online through the Texas Abuse Hotline website at txabusehotline.org. If a child is in immediate danger, always call 911 first.
Trust Is Earned — and Must Be Actively Protected
The Texas firefighter child abuse case out of Howe is a painful reminder that no role — no matter how respected — comes with an automatic guarantee of trustworthiness. A 16-year-old girl joined her local volunteer fire department with hope and a desire to serve her community. What she reportedly experienced there should never happen to any young person, anywhere.
For communities across the United States, this case serves as a wake-up call. Youth volunteer programs must have clear, enforceable safeguarding policies in place. Complaints must be taken seriously — not buried. And organizations must create safe, accessible channels through which young people can speak up without fear of retaliation.
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