A former Huntsville resident, Mario Raynard Roberson, has been arrested in Houston on charges related to a conspiracy to commit arson resulting in death. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the arrest of the 52-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident.
Roberson was apprehended in the Houston area and is making his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. A federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against him on July 1, alleging responsibility for a house fire in Huntsville on June 14, 2023, which resulted in two fatalities.
According to the indictment, Roberson held an insurance policy with State Farm Insurance and allegedly recruited others to set fire to his home to file a fraudulent claim. The blaze reportedly led to the deaths of two individuals involved in igniting it.
“The defendant is alleged to have orchestrated a scheme to collect an insurance payout through a purported racially-motivated arson, which led to two deaths,” stated Ganjei. “Now that he is in federal custody he will answer these charges, and, if found guilty, be held accountable for the death of these two men.”
Roberson faces charges including conspiracy to commit arson resulting in death—a crime carrying a potential life sentence if convicted—and nine counts of wire fraud related to attempts at defrauding the insurance company. He also faces charges under the Travel Act for using interstate facilities like telephones for committing arson and conspiracy connected with a federal felony offense. Each charge carries possible prison terms up to 20 years and fines reaching $250,000.
The FBI's Bryan Resident Agency conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón-Matos, Byron Black, and Alexander Alum are prosecuting the case.
An indictment serves as an accusation rather than evidence; defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty through due legal processes.
