HOWE, Texas — Three North Texas firefighters were arrested on child sex crime charges tied to allegations they abused a 16-year-old junior firefighter over several months in 2022 at the Howe Volunteer Fire Department, according to an arrest affidavit.
Two were placed on leave from the Allen and Irving fire departments, while the third resigned from the Melissa Fire Department the day of his arrest at the end of March, WFAA reported.
| NEXT: Power plays: Sexual harassment in the fire service is rooted in control
The girl, whose name was redacted in documents obtained by WFAA, told police in May 2025 that multiple members of the department abused her during her time as a junior firefighter in 2022.
The girl told investigators that Howe firefighter David Perez-Glass, 33, assaulted her more than two dozen times between January 2022 and January 2023, when she was underage, including encounters at the fire station and a storage facility in Van Alstyne, according to arrest documents.
According to the documents, the girl told investigators Perez-Glass used force and coercion, and that she complied out of fear. She also said he suggested using a coat hanger if she became pregnant and described an encounter in which she repeatedly told him to stop, the records state.
The girl told investigators Perez-Glass threatened to kill her if she told anyone. In contrast, investigators said he admitted to a sexual relationship and acknowledged she was younger than 17 at the time. Perez-Glass remained jailed on three counts of sexual assault of a child.
An Irving Fire Department spokesperson stated that he was placed on leave from his full-time position after the department became aware of his arrest.
According to arrest affidavits, the junior firefighter said she had sex with Dalton McCaslin, also a Howe volunteer firefighter, while she was 16 at his apartment after she reached out to members of the department while upset and wanting to get away from her family.
Investigators said he admitted to a sexual relationship and knew she was younger than 17 at the time.
McCaslin posted bond on three child sexual assault charges. Allen Fire placed him on leave after learning of the investigation. He did not respond to a request for comment.
The girl also told investigators Joshua Ryals, another Howe volunteer firefighter, touched her sexually and kissed her when she was a junior firefighter before stopping and acknowledging she was 16, according to the affidavits.
Ryals posted bond on two indecency with a child charges. He resigned from the Melissa Fire Department hours before his arrest and declined comment.
According to the arrest affidavits, a firefighter told investigators she tried to report Perez-Glass’s alleged inappropriate sexual advances toward the junior firefighter but was reprimanded by Howe Fire Department leadership for bypassing the chain of command and later left the department.
The girl also told investigators that Perez-Glass and other firefighters kept a countdown on their phones to when she would turn 18.
Howe Fire Chief Robert Maniet resigned from his position on Feb 12, town leaders said during a March City Council meeting, though no reason was given. Maniet did not respond to a request for comment.
