BELLVILLE Bellville Po - lice Chief Kevin C. Bellville, issued a press release regarding Jason Gaines, 46, a Bellville vol - unteer firefighter and full-time firefighter with the Houston Fire Department at Houston Fire Sta -
tion 90, stating: "In January of 2026 the Bell - ville Police Department received a call in regard to an adult male attempting to have inappropriate conversations through social me - dia apps with juveniles. While investigating this matter, more juveniles came forward with in -
formation alleging that Jason Gaines was sending them sex - ually suggestive messages. Af - ter a thorough investigation the case was presented to the Austin County D.A., and Austin County Grand Jury. The Austin County Grand Jury returned an indict - ment against Gaines in Cause No. 2026R-0077 for Child Grooming, a third-degree felony under Tex - as Penal Code 15.032. The war - rant was issued for Jason Gaines on May 27, 2026, pursuant to the indictment, Jason Gaines was ar - rested on May 28, 2026, with as - sistance from the United States Marshalls Service." Bellville Volunteer Fire De - partment Chief Clyde Gordon, took appropriate action regarding the arrest of Gaines, volunteer firefighter with BVFD. Gordon also released a statement, stating: "The Bellville Volunteer Fire Department is aware of the recent arrest of one of its volunteer fire - fighters by law enforcement au - thorities.
Upon learning of the arrest, the department immediately ini -
tiated its standard review process. The individual has been suspend - ed from all department duties
pending the outcome of the legal proceedings and any internal re - view by department leadership.
The Bellville Volunteer Fire Department takes its responsibil -
ity to the community seriously and remains committed to main - taining the trust and confidence of the citizens we serve. While the department recognizes that all individuals are entitled to due pro - cess under the law, we also hold our members to high standards of conduct and professionalism.
Because this is an active legal matter, the department will not comment on specific allegations or details of the case. Any ques - tions regarding the criminal in - vestigation should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Bellville Volunteer Fire Department remains focused on its mission of protecting lives and property and will continue providing emergency services to the community without interrup - tion." The indictment and arrest of Gaines is a formal charging doc - ument. It does not mean he is guilty. It is a means to move the case forward to a formal trial. Gaines, a 22-year veteran of the HFD, has been suspended from HFD. Gaines posted a $30,000 bond, prior to being released from the Austin County Jail.
