Houston firefighter placed on paid leave after criminal charges allege online solicitation of a minor

What is known about the case

A Houston Fire Department (HFD) firefighter has been relieved of duty with pay after being charged in a case that involves alleged crimes connected to a minor. The firefighter, identified as Ethen Garcia, faces charges of online solicitation of a minor and solicitation of prostitution, based on court records.

Garcia is scheduled to make a court appearance on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Because the matter remains active, key case documents that often provide additional detail are not publicly available in this instance.

Department response and parallel investigations

HFD leadership confirmed Garcia was removed from active duty with pay under departmental policy while both a criminal investigation and an internal administrative review proceed. The Houston Police Department is involved alongside HFD’s Professional Standards Office, which typically handles internal allegations involving employee conduct.

In a statement released by the department, Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz described the allegations as serious and said they do not reflect the conduct of the department’s workforce. The department also indicated it is limiting public comment while investigative work continues.

Employment details and operational implications

Fire officials said Garcia has been assigned to emergency operations since joining HFD in June 2021. HFD employs roughly 4,000 personnel. When an employee is placed on paid leave during an investigation, departments commonly reassign staffing to maintain response coverage and preserve the integrity of both criminal and administrative processes.

What comes next in court and at HFD

The legal process and the internal employment process will move on separate tracks. Criminal proceedings will address whether prosecutors can prove the elements of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. The administrative investigation, conducted under departmental rules, may evaluate whether policy violations occurred and what employment actions are warranted.

• Criminal case: a court hearing is set for January 20, 2026.

• Administrative case: HFD’s Professional Standards Office is conducting an internal inquiry while the police investigation remains active.

• Employment status: the firefighter remains relieved of duty with pay pending outcomes of the investigations.

Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

As the case develops, additional information may emerge through court filings, hearings, or formal departmental actions once investigators are able to release more details without compromising the proceedings.