Seven Indicted in Louisiana Arson Scheme to Defraud Insurers

Seven people were indicted this week in a years long arson-related insurance fraud scheme involving fires set intentionally in Monroe, Louisiana.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Louisiana alleges that between 2019-2026, the defendants rented homes, obtained homeowners insurance policies, and then caused approximately 13 fires at those residences.

The defendants allegedly submitted false insurance claims seeking payments for fabricated personal property losses and extended stay hotel reimbursements.

It is further alleged that the defendants submitted fraudulent relief claims with a national humanitarian organization for which they received cash payments under false pretenses.

“The audacity, the recklessness, and the greed of these defendants to allegedly turn fire setting into a for-profit operation is staggering,” said U.S Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “The conspirators charged here fed their greed by putting innocent lives at risk, including those of first responders, and destroyed the hard earned property of others while contributing to higher insurance costs for us all.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the Monroe Fire Department, and the Louisiana State Police.