Texas Fire Chief Fired Following Child Porn Charges

A Texas fire chief has been terminated following his arrest on child pornography charges. Port Neches Fire Chief Paul Nelson was arrested last week on a single felony count of promoting child pornography.

12News quoted Port Neches Police Chief Paul LeMoine as saying:

  • “This is one of those incidents that makes you sick to your stomach.”
  • “It physically and mentally affects you.”
  • “You gotta know that there’s a whole lot more good out there than there is bad. You gotta just stay the course and do the best you can to root this stuff out.”

District Attorney Bob Wortham was quoted as saying:

  • “it’s a sad situation.”
  • “It’s being investigated and we have very strong evidence and I am just saddened and shocked.”

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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