14 arrests, including the fire chief of Highland Village

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that 14 men, including the Highland Village fire chief, had been arrested as part of an “operation to suppress the demand for prostitution.”

All 14 men were arrested for solicitation of prostitution, which is a state felony. This type of crime is typically punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Two men, including Fire Chief Jason Collier, also face charges of resisting arrest, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that 14 men, including the Highland Village fire chief, had been arrested as part of an “operation to suppress the demand for prostitution.”

All 14 men were arrested for solicitation of prostitution, which is a state felony. This type of crime is typically punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Two men, including Fire Chief Jason Collier, also face charges of resisting arrest, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Collier has been with the fire department since 2008 and was promoted to chief in 2022, according to a city spokesman. Following his arrest, Collier was placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with regulations and subsequently resigned on Saturday, the city said.

The majority of the men arrested were from Denton County, but some were from neighboring counties in North Texas and one was from North Carolina.