A former resident of Huntsville has been arrested on charges of arson and fraud following a house fire that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Mario Raynard Roberson, 52, was apprehended in the Houston area and is currently making his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Nicholas J. Ganjei, announced that a federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against Roberson on July 1. The charges are related to a house fire in Huntsville on June 14, 2023.
According to the indictment, Roberson allegedly held an insurance policy with State Farm Insurance on the property and recruited others to set it ablaze in order to file a fraudulent insurance claim. The blaze reportedly led to the deaths of two individuals who were attempting to ignite the fire at Roberson’s residence.
“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,” said 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, which carries a potential life sentence if convicted. He also faces nine counts of wire fraud for attempting insurance fraud; conspiracy to violate the Travel Act related to using an interstate facility—the telephone—to commit arson; and conspiracy to commit arson linked with a federal felony offense. These charges carry varying prison terms up to 20 years each and potential fines up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI – Bryan Resident Agency with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón-Matos, Byron Black, and Alexander Alum prosecuting the case.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.
