SWEENY, Texas — Multiple former Sweeny Fire and Rescue members are facing serious felony charges involving minors, placing the department under public scrutiny and raising questions about public trust, oversight and volunteer screening.
The cases involve two former Sweeny fire chiefs, a father and son, along with a former volunteer firefighter.
According to published reports from Houston-area news outlets, as well as court and jail information cited in those reports, former Sweeny Volunteer Fire Chief Timothy Dale Webb Sr. was arrested in April after being indicted on multiple felony charges involving alleged sexual crimes against minors.
The reported charges against Webb Sr. include aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child, sexual assault and prohibited sexual conduct.
The allegations against Webb Sr. date back more than two decades, with reported incidents from the early 2000s.
Webb Sr. had already been removed from his role as fire chief earlier this year. Published reports said Sweeny Fire and Rescue announced in February that he had been removed from the chief position and placed on leave.
His son, Timothy David Webb, who also previously served as Sweeny fire chief, was arrested earlier this year and is facing multiple felony charges involving minors, according to published reports.
Those reports said Timothy David Webb faces 13 felony charges, including aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. Investigators reportedly listed alleged incidents involving him between 2023 and 2025.
A third former department member, Coleman Pollock, has also been charged in a separate case. Published reports identify Pollock as a former volunteer firefighter and say he was arrested in September on charges involving child sexual assault and indecency with a child.
Sweeny Police Chief Brad Caudle reportedly said Timothy David Webb and Pollock were neighbors and that investigators were looking into whether explicit images involving victims may have been exchanged.
Officials have not publicly confirmed that all of the cases are directly connected.
The charges against Webb Sr. came after earlier arrests involving other former Sweeny fire personnel had already drawn attention in the community. Published reports said Sweeny Mayor Dusty Hopkins stated Webb Sr.’s case came under investigation after two other people connected to the department had been arrested.
The situation has left residents with questions about department leadership, volunteer screening and internal accountability.
It also raises broader concerns for small communities where volunteer emergency departments often rely heavily on public trust and close relationships between residents and first responders.
Several key questions remain unanswered.
It is not yet clear whether any of the alleged incidents were connected to official fire department activities, whether any victims had contact with the accused through the department, or whether department policies have changed since the arrests.
It is also unclear what background check procedures were in place for volunteers and leadership at the time.
Gulf Coast Times has not yet independently reviewed all court filings in the cases. This article is based on publicly available reporting from Houston-area news outlets and will be updated as additional records and official responses are obtained.
Gulf Coast Times is seeking additional information from law enforcement, court records, city officials and Sweeny Fire and Rescue to better understand the timeline, current leadership structure and any policy changes made in response to the cases.
Anyone with information about suspected child abuse or exploitation should contact law enforcement. In Texas, suspected child abuse or neglect can also be reported to the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
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