Lady Justice
A 38-year-old woman from Temple, Texas, has been indicted for allegedly setting fire to the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Maltby, Washington, resulting in the total destruction of the church. Natasha Marie Odell, who has been in custody since her arrest in Texas in August 2024, faces federal charges related to the August 2023 arson, which caused over $2.5 million in damage.
The indictment, announced this week by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, outlines three felony charges against Odell: Damage to Religious Property, Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs, and Use of Fire to Commit Another Felony Offense. She is currently detained at the Snohomish County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on December 16, 2024, after being transferred to federal custody.
The fire at the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church occurred on August 25, 2023. Surveillance footage from the church’s security system, which survived the blaze, captured a woman believed to be Odell, pouring gasoline around the exterior walls of the church and nearby objects. Moments later, fire was seen spreading across those areas, and the video system stopped functioning as the fire grew more intense.
Further investigation linked Odell to the crime through cell phone records, credit card purchases, and travel documents. Surveillance footage and other evidence suggest that Odell was in the area visiting relatives in Woodinville, Washington, at the time of the fire.
Credit card records showed that Odell had purchased just over a gallon of gasoline and lighters from a local service station, further connecting her to the arson. The purchase occurred shortly before the fire, with the gasoline being likely used in the attack on the church.
Damage to Religious Property and Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs both carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison. However, the most severe charge, Use of Fire to Commit Another Felony Offense, comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
While Odell faces these alleged charges, it is important to note that the indictment is based on allegations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation into the fire has been carried out by the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg is handling the prosecution of the case, which has attracted attention due to the nature of the crime and the significant damage to a religious institution.
Odell’s arraignment is set for mid-December, where she will have the opportunity to respond to the charges. The case is expected to proceed through the court system, with both legal experts and the public keenly watching the developments in this high-profile arson case.
