Texas volunteer firefighter faces 20 counts of felony arson
- David Matthew Neet is accused of starting fires starting in 2023
- Authorities say he used delayed incendiary devices
- Arson is a state felony punishable by up to 2 years in jail and a $10K fine
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(NewsNation) — A West Texas volunteer firefighter and EMS crew member, tasked with saving lives and extinguishing fires, is now he’s behind bars for allegedly igniting fires over the past year.
David Matthew Neet, 44, was arrested Friday on 20 counts of felony arson charges in connection with multiple brush fires starting in 2023, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
An initial investigation by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office found the origins of serial arson fires in Alpine, Texas, suspicious, prompting an investigation by Forest Service investigators.
Investigators believe Neet used delayed incendiary devices and identified him through DNA evidence and cellphone data.
“I think our investigation will show that he potentially set more than 20 fires,” said Jarred Lemmon, assistant chief law enforcement officer at the Texas A&M Forest Service, who helped track down Neet.
According to the Nation Volunteer Fire Council. about 100 firefighters are arrested for arson each year.
Neet is being held on a $300,000 bond at the Brewster County Detention Center.
Arson is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
