ALPINE – A volunteer firefighter and emergency medical services member in Alpine, Texas, was arrested July 5 on suspicion of setting multiple wildfires in the area.

David Matthew Neet, 44, of Alpine, was arrested by Brewster County Sheriff's officials in connection with several wildfires in 2023 and 2024.

An initial investigation by the Brewster County Sheriff's Office revealed a suspicious origin of the serial arson, which prompted Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement investigators to work with them to further investigate and determine the cause of the fire.

Neet is currently being held on $300,000 bail at the Brewster County Detention Center on 20 counts of Arson F2 under Texas Penal Code 28.02. As directed by the 34th Texas Legislature, the Texas A&M Forest Service enforces all laws related to forest and woodland protection and prosecutes violators. Arson is a state crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

“We investigate wildland arson cases and work to bring those responsible to justice,” said Jarred Lemmon, deputy police chief of the Texas A&M Forest Service. “The success of this case would not have been possible without the work of Brewster County Deputy Holquin.”

Since January 1, Texas A&M Forest Service law enforcement officers have responded to 70 wildfire investigations and 48 timber theft complaints.