UPDATE: Second Spotsylvania Co. firefighter charged with sex crime. Sheriff says Chancellor volunteer also used FD vehicle. Department promises 'drastic changes'.

Coverage of previous arrest

Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue

For the second time in 10 days a volunteer with Chancellor Volunteer Fire & Rescue in Spotsylvania County, Virginia has been charged with a sex crime. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff says, as in the first case, a fire department vehicle was used as transportation when the sexual assault occurred.

In light of the new information Chancellor administrative chief Kevin Dillard told Amy Umble at Fredericksburg.com, "We would be doing a disservice to the citizens of the county if we didn't make drastic changes." Dillard described the situation as "sickening".

According to Umble, rescue lieutenant William Byrd is in the Rappahannock Regional Jail, held without bond, on charges of having sex with a minor and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Here is more from Umble's blog:

Byrd is accused of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old student of the schools’ firefighter and EMS classes.

The investigation was delayed while a detective waited for copies of Byrd’s emails from yahoo.com, Timm said.

On May 14, volunteer firefighter Justin Baber was accused of statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Umble wrote an article on May 17 listing some of the recent problems at Chancellor. Click here to read it.

Also from Umble's interview with Dillard:

"Maybe the right thing to do is to not allow people underage in the station, in light of what's happening, until we can get a better handle on this," he said.

The department also recently announced stricter rules regarding the response vehicles. Both Baber and Byrd are accused of using one of the department's Crown Victorias in their alleged crimes.