FBI Houston civil rights agents arrested Gertrude “Trudy” Thompson on Monday on new federal charges tied to the November 2023 firebombing of a Buddhist temple in New Caney, adding a third defendant to a case that already implicated her daughter and a second accused conspirator. Thompson now faces charges of arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and use of an explosive to commit a federal felony. The charges described for Austin Tanton were conspiracy to commit malicious use of explosive materials, use of explosive materials in a felony, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
The arrest was announced in a post from FBI Houston
, which described Trudy Thompson as joining her daughter and Tanton in the case. The attack targeted the Huyền Trang Buddhist Meditation Center in the 17000 block of FM 1485 in New Caney, according to the
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas
, a Buddhist temple in East Montgomery County.
Federal court testimony has described allegations involving Tanton and Kayla Thompson. FBI Special Agent Nicholas Regini testified in federal court that Tanton was allegedly paid $11,000 to set the temple fire, an allegation supported by subpoenaed Facebook messages between Tanton and Kayla Thompson that included fire emojis and references to money, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Investigators say Tanton spent the payment on drugs and firearms.
Four People Were Inside When the Firebomb Hit
The attack unfolded late on November 5, 2023, with occupants inside the meditation center at the time, including head nun Suco Susan Nguyen and a visiting monk sleeping on the floor of the main worship room, according to court filings relayed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and reporting by Click2Houston. The late-night attack put those inside directly in harm’s way.
The sleeping monk was jolted awake when the Molotov cocktail shattered a window screen, and he used a bag and a floor rug to douse the flames before another occupant grabbed a fire extinguisher, as reported by FOX 26 Houston. The fire was put out quickly.
Cell Phone Records and a Tipster Broke the Case Open
Investigators identified Tanton following a tip from a confidential informant who was facing unrelated state criminal charges, according to federal court testimony reported by the Houston Chronicle. Federal investigators then found that mobile devices belonging to both Tanton and Kayla Thompson were detected near the meditation center on the night of the arson, with Kayla Thompson also named in the case.
FBI Houston had offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information back in January 2024, and the same reporting described September 2025 indictments, per the Houston Chronicle. The investigation involved the FBI and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal.
Prior Suspicious Incident and Pending State Charges
An earlier incident was reported at the property: a mobile home on the same land caught fire in October 2022. The report cited an electrical issue, while the owner questioned the coincidence, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle and Click2Houston. Separately, Tanton had a history of missed Montgomery County court dates, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The conspiracy charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the Houston Chronicle. The case also includes an additional charge against Tanton: he faces an additional 10-year maximum charge for possessing an unregistered destructive device, according to the Houston Chronicle. The ultimate source of the alleged $11,000 payment, and the full motive behind targeting the temple, remain part of the ongoing federal civil rights investigation.
