Overview

• A federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment on July 1 charging Mario Raynard Roberson with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit arson resulting in death, and a travel-act violation.
• FBI Houston and Texas Department of Public Safety agents arrested Roberson in Houston on July 10 and lodged him in federal custody.
• Prosecutors say Roberson recruited two men in June 2023 to set fire to his Huntsville rental home so he could claim insurance proceeds from State Farm.
• The two men died in the blaze, and a months-long Texas State Fire Marshal investigation paved the way for the federal charges.
• If convicted on the federal counts, Roberson faces a potential life sentence and fines of up to $250,000 under sentencing guidelines.