Louisiana Couple Arrested for Allegedly Setting Fire to Home and Endangering Surrounding Homes to Collect Insurance Money

West Monroe, Louisiana - The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (LASFM) announced the arrest of a couple from West Monroe, Louisiana, for allegedly setting fire to their mobile home, endangering surrounding inhabited mobile homes, in order to collect insurance money.

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Charles Robertson, 54, and Tonya Scott, 33, were booked into the Ouachita Parish Jail on one count each of Aggravated Arson, Criminal Conspiracy, and Insurance Fraud.
The Ouachita Parish Fire Department responded to a complaint of a mobile home fire in the 1200 block of Avanti Lane in the evening hours of December 16, 2021. The fire endangered two nearby inhabited mobile homes, but everyone fled safely.

The fire was thought to have started accidentally by a space heater put too close to combustible things at the time. But, a report to LASFM investigators in January 2022 suggested the fire was suspicious.

Deputies were able to determine the fire was intentionally set after intensive investigation efforts that included collecting witness accounts, security video, and records searches, and they identified Robertson and Scott, the owners of the burnt mobile home, as suspects.

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, both were arrested in connection with the case.

The LASFM thanked the investigators from the Ouachita Parish Fire Department for their assistance in this case, as well as the members of this community who reported the suspicious activities that resulted in this case being closed with these arrests.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office also indicated that anyone with information regarding a fire investigation can report it anonymously to their office by calling 1-844-954-1221 or going online at lasfm.org.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.