ELLIS COUNTY, Texas — One of eight firefighters accused of sexually assaulting a colleague with a sausage at a firehouse last January stood before a judge Tuesday for arraignment.
NBC DFW reported that the other Ellis County volunteer firefighters were expected to be arraigned later in the afternoon. Judge Bob Carroll changed firefighter William Hamilton Getzendaner’s charge from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony for tampering with a witness.
Victim Jason Waldeck, 20, was also at the courthouse for the arraignment. Waldeck filed a complaint after he said his fellow volunteer firefighters sexually assaulted him.
Eight people, including the chief, assistant chief and a lieutenant have been indicted for their alleged roles in the attack and attempt to cover it up.
Judge Carroll set Getzendaner’s pre-trial hearing for Feb. 3.