Respected Firefighters Face Charges in Disturbing Child Abuse Case Involving Single Victim

In a troubling development out of the North Dallas suburbs, three firefighters have been arrested on multiple charges related to child sex abuse, all involving the same juvenile victim. These arrests were made on Thursday, as detailed in court documents.

Remarkably, the arrests came on the heels of public recognition for two of the suspects, who had recently been celebrated for their contributions to the community.

The individuals in question, affiliated with the Howe Fire Department in Grayson County, have been identified as David Yosimar Perez-Glass, Dalton Joe McCaslin, and Joshua Todd Ryals. They each face serious felony charges, including sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child involving sexual contact.

Investigations allege that the three men targeted a 16-year-old junior firefighter who joined the department as a volunteer in January 2022. This disturbing case has sent shockwaves throughout the local community.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, it was noted that the Howe Fire Department had previously bestowed its Firefighter of the Year award upon Perez-Glass in 2022, highlighting a stark contrast between his public accolades and the serious allegations now facing him.

Perez-Glass allegedly began harassing the girl within her first month at the department with behavior that quickly escalated during times they were alone at the station.

“Perez’s behavior scared her, and it eventually led to him hugging, grabbing her, and throwing her onto the sofa,” documents state.

The victim said despite her saying she was a virgin and “did not like what he was doing to her,” Perez-Glass allegedly assaulted her more than 20 times orally and had intercourse with her less than 10 times over the course of a year. 

David Perez-Glass was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child. (Grayson County Sheriff’s Office/KDFW )

He also repeatedly threatened to rape her, kill her and “do things to her parents” if she ever reported their interactions, the documents said.

The alleged assaults reportedly ended when the victim turned the “legal age” of 17 and Perez-Glass no longer wanted to engage in a relationship.

During the year the alleged abuse occurred, Perez-Glass was reportedly named Firefighter of the Year by the Howe Fire Department and promoted to lieutenant. 

Dalton McCaslin was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child. (Grayson County Sheriff’s Office/KDFW )

Court documents also noted that McCaslin had a “consensual” sexual relationship with the girl beginning in December 2022.

During that period, the victim reportedly visited an apartment McCaslin shared with another firefighter in Van Alstyne.

The complaint alleged a private interaction occurred between McCaslin and the girl while the other roommate was asleep.

Joshua Ryals was charged with two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact. (Grayson County Sheriff’s Office/KDFW )

Separately, Ryals allegedly admitted to inappropriate contact with the victim while alone at the Howe Fire Station, court documents said. 

The Melissa Fire Department said Ryals resigned the week before his arrest, when he was honored as Paramedic of the Year by the department March 16, Fox 4 News said.

Texas Rangers officers arrested the three suspects after an investigation.

Perez-Glass and McCaslin both face three counts of sexual assault of a child, while Ryals was charged with two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact. 

All three were booked into the Grayson County Jail.