A Texas woman has been indicted for three felonies in connection with the arson that destroyed a church in Snohomish County, Washington. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced that Natasha Marie Odell, 38, of Temple, Texas, was charged by a federal grand jury. Odell has been held since her arrest in Texas in August 2024 and is currently detained at the Snohomish County Jail. She is set to be transferred to federal custody and arraigned on December 16, 2024.

Court records and the federal indictment reveal that Odell was linked to the fire at Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church through cell phone records, credit card transactions, and surveillance footage from August 25, 2023. During this period, travel records show Odell was visiting relatives in Woodinville, Washington.

Surveillance video from the church captured a woman resembling Odell carrying a container typically used for gasoline. The footage shows her pouring gasoline on the church's exterior walls and nearby items before moving out of view as flames began to spread. The security system eventually failed due to the fire.

Investigators connected Odell to purchases made with her credit card at a local service station where she bought just over a gallon of gasoline and lighters.

The fire resulted in more than $2.5 million in damages to the church.

Odell faces charges of Damage to Religious Property, Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs, and Use of Fire to commit another Felony Offense. The first two charges carry potential sentences of up to 40 years in prison each. The charge of Use of Fire carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could result in life imprisonment.

The indictment serves as an allegation; Odell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is being conducted by the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg is prosecuting the case.