ELLIS COUNTY — Five volunteer firefighters are off the job in Ellis County. They and one other person face serious charges for what investigators say they did to a recruit.
The Texas Rangers investigated what's described as a hazing incident and sexual assault that happened in January at the Ellis County Emergency Services District No. 6 Volunteer Fire Department outside Waxahachie.
Rangers said the sixth person arrested in the case recorded the act on her cell phone.
In a community where volunteer firefighters are held in high regard, people here were caught off-guard by these allegations. Court records paint a picture of a party-like atmosphere at the station house while members of the department sexually assault a new recruit.
After being arrested Monday night, five Ellis County volunteer firefighters woke up in jail Tuesday morning. Each faces charges of aggravated sexual assault. All but one have bonded out.
- Alec Chase Miller, 28, of Waxahachie
- Casey Joe Stafford, 30, of Midlothian
- Keith Edward Wisakowsky, 26, of Waxahachie
- Preston Thomas Peyrot, 19
- Blake Jerold Tucker, 19
Court records say the volunteer firefighters first attempted to sexually assault the recruit using a broomstick. When that failed, they switched to a chorizo sausage.
Waxahachie resident Brittany Parten, 23, is charged with using her phone to document the sexual assault. Investigators say the participants can be heard "yelling and laughing with excitement" during the incident.
Reaction in Waxahachie was swift.
"How sad, very sad," Trish Geer said. "I think that's tragic."
Richard Rozier, who served as president of the board that oversees the volunteer fire department until late last year, said he's shocked and disappointed by the accusations.
"There was never any kind of indication that any of this kind of thing had happened or was happening," Rozier said. "I think if we'd have known something like that going on [...] action would have been taken obviously to stop it, and even deal with those who may have participated in it."
Rozier said he knows several of those arrested and he never expected that type of conduct from them.
Two of them, Keith Wisakowsky and Alec Miller, served in positions of authority. Miller had been officer of the year. Volunteer Fire Chief Gavin Satterfield could not be reached for comment.
Rozier said he does not believe Satterfield would have condoned that type of conduct. He said he believes it led to some personnel changes within the department.
Meanwhile at the fire station, they're still answering calls. No one wanted to talk about the arrests.
Rozier lives in the district the department serves. He said he still has confidence that the department will be there to protect and serve when he calls them.
"They come out at all hours of the day and night, interrupt their lives to do it, so you can say I'm thankful for them," Rozier said. "It's obviously an isolated incident. It's not an ongoing situation prevailing in the department. I can't see how it would be."
Ellis County Judge Carol Bush released this statement:
The allegations against those members and affiliates of the ESD #6 Volunteer Fire Department who have been arrested are shocking and appalling. I am concerned for the victim of the alleged crime; but, I am also concerned for the continued safety of those citizens of Ellis County who depend upon ESD #6 for basic fire protection.
Ellis County does not maintain its own fire department. Fire protection across the county is provided by both municipal fire departments and by volunteer fire departments. Pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, the volunteer fire departments are managed by Emergency Services Districts, which are independent political subdivisions with taxing authority, governed by their own boards of directors. The authority of Ellis County is limited to appointing those directors and filling vacancies. The county has no legal authority over the operations of either the ESDs or the volunteer fire departments.
I am confident that this event is not representative of the character of the majority of fire service professionals in the county. It is my understanding that various other ESDs and municipal fire departments are in the process of discussing how they will work together, if necessary, to prevent any gaps in fire coverage. Notwithstanding this event, we are blessed with a strong culture of professionalism among the county's fire services. I am grateful for their leadership and commitment to public safety.
David Schechter reported from Waxahachie; Tanya Eiserer reported from Dallas
