Texas: 18-Year-Old Volunteer Firefighter Winchester Faces 16 Felony Arson Counts in Frio County, Bond Set at $480,000
FRIO COUNTY, Texas — The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO), a division of the Texas Department of Insurance, announced that following its investigation, Dakoda Winchester, 18, a firefighter with the Moore Volunteer Fire Department, was arrested on October 20 on 16 felony arson charges. Investigators say he intentionally set fires to grass, fences, vehicles and structures in Moore and Pearsall in Frio County, causing significant damage and threatening public safety. His bond was set at $480,000, and authorities expect more charges as the investigation progresses.
The SFMO is working with the Frio County Sheriff's Office, the 81st Judicial District Criminal Interdiction Task Force, Texas Game Wardens and the Pearsall ISD Police Department. The Moore Volunteer Fire Department said it became apparent something was wrong when multiple fires began occurring in the same area; its command staff asked the SFMO and the sheriff's office to assist, leading to Winchester being identified as a suspect. He has since been relieved of all duties. The department said the conduct does not mirror its values, standards and commitment to serving and protecting the residents of Moore and Frio County.
The SFMO investigates fire and arson cases across Texas; suspected arson can be reported to the office at 800-578-4677. The charges are allegations that have not been adjudicated in court.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于德州 Pearsall 的弗里奥县法院。Renelibrary 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Frio County Courthouse in Pearsall, Texas. Photo by Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
