A Texas woman has found herself facing serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted her for allegedly torching a church in Snohomish County, Washington earlier this year. Natasha Marie Odell, 38, of Temple, Texas was indicted on three felony charges, including Damage to Religious Property, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The incident, which obliterated the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church and caused over $2.5 million in damages, unfolded on August 25, 2023.
Currently detained at the Snohomish County Jail, Odell has been in custody since her arrest in August 2024, and, is scheduled to be arraigned on December 16. Video surveillance, which survived the blaze, captured a woman resembling Odell at the scene with a gasoline container, the U.S. Attorney's office detailed. The specific allegations include that Odell was present at the church when she allegedly poured gasoline around its exterior before setting it on fire.
Investigators were able to link Odell to the crime through cell phone and credit card records that placed her at a service station where she reportedly purchased gasoline and lighters. Her travel records also indicated she was visiting relatives in the nearby area of Woodinville around the time of the fire.
Aside from the potential 40-year prison sentence for the two most serious charges, Odell could face a mandatory minimum of ten years for the third charge, if convicted. As emphasized by the U.S. Attorney's office, the charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and Odell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation, conducted by the Snohomish County Fire Marshall’s Office and the ATF, is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
The Department of Justice's official press release lays out the details of the case against Odell, shedding light on a crime that not only demolished a place of worship but also confronted the notion of religious freedom and safety.
