A Texas woman who traveled to Washington state last year has been sentenced to six years in prison for intentionally burning down a church in Snohomish County.

According to Fox News, Natasha Marie O'Dell pleaded guilty to setting fire to Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Maltby on August 25, 2023, resulting in over $3.2 million in damages and injuring a firefighter.

On Thursday, a U.S. District Court sentenced the 38-year-old O'Dell after she admitted to multiple federal crimes, including arson, damaging a place of religious worship, and interfering with individuals’ free exercise of religion. The sentencing was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington.

O'Dell committed the arson while visiting family in the area. According to court records, she deliberately targeted the church because of her anger toward religious institutions, specifically this denomination.

Surveillance and purchases connected the suspect to the fire

Investigators linked O'Dell to the crime through a combination of cell phone data, credit card transactions, and video evidence. She had purchased cigarette lighters and a gasoline container shortly before the fire.

Surveillance footage recovered from the scene showed a person identified as O'Dell carrying a red gas container and walking around the church premises. The video documented her pouring fuel against the exterior walls and nearby materials before moving out of view moments before flames appeared.

Officials later reported that the fire quickly consumed the building, leaving it a total loss. The cost of the destruction forced the congregation to rent space at a nearby middle school to host weekly worship services.

Firefighter injured as fire burns church

The rapid spread of the flames posed danger not only to the structure but to those responding to the emergency. One firefighter suffered injuries while attempting to put out the blaze and required emergency room treatment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller described O'Dell’s conduct as showing a “clear disregard” for public safety, noting that many individuals—including worshippers, neighbors, and emergency responders—were put at risk during the fire.

At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead characterized the arson as both “devastating and dangerous,” emphasizing the emotional and spiritual toll placed on the affected congregation.

Judge condemns destruction of spiritual home

“You burned down the spiritual home of a congregation,” Judge Whitehead said in court, stressing that the destruction extended beyond property loss by disrupting lives and a community’s faith life.

He added that the suffering inflicted by the act only deepens with each week the congregation is forced to worship away from its original space. The judge said the deliberate nature of the crime influenced the length of the sentence.

Following her guilty plea, O'Dell admitted to expressing hostility toward churches and told others she had considered setting fire to a second nearby church as well. Authorities did not release the name of the second location she had mentioned.

Further restitution is yet to be resolved

While sentencing was completed on Thursday, the court has not yet determined the amount of restitution O'Dell will be required to pay. A later hearing will finalize that decision based on the extensive damage.

The Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church community continues to face financial and emotional challenges as a result of the attack. In addition to rebuilding efforts, they now must cover the ongoing cost of temporary worship locations.

The arson has raised broader concerns about the safety of faith-based institutions and prompted renewed discussions around hate-motivated crimes against religious organizations in Washington and beyond.