HARRIS COUNTY, Texas- An employee with the Houston Fire Department was arrested Saturday for the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl.
According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, 27-year-old Brandon Ramirez started communicating with the girl using an online chat application.
Deputies say he sent "sexually explicit" photos and videos of himself to her. Following conversations and video chats which lasted weeks, HCSO says the two met in person and had a "sexual encounter."
Ramirez is accused of sexual assault of a child 14 to 17 years old. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
HCSO says he is an employee of HFD. They released the following statement:
"The Houston Fire Department takes matters such as this very seriously. We will fully cooperate with the Harris County Sheriff Department and the ongoing police investigation. Any administrative decisions regarding position and employment status will be determined at the conclusion of the investigation. This incident is not a representation of the 4000 men and women firefighters that continue to service this city with courage, commitment and compassion everyday."
On Monday, HFD said Ramirez was relieved of duty pending an administrative investigation.