In a case that stunned both communities and congregants alike, Natasha Marie O’Dell, a 38-year-old native of Temple, Texas, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, to six years in federal prison for deliberately setting fire to the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Maltby, Washington.
A Targeted Act of Destruction
The crime occurred on the morning of August 25, 2023, while O’Dell was in the Seattle area visiting relatives. She traveled to the church via ride-share, having just purchased gasoline and lighters, where video surveillance captured her pouring over a gallon of gasoline along the exterior walls and igniting the blaze.
Despite the damage, part of the church’s security footage survived and provided investigators with the evidence needed to link her to the crime. Cell phone data and credit card transactions, tied to her purchases at a local service station, further confirmed her presence at the scene.
A Spiritual Home Reduced to Ashes
The fire reduced the decades-old church, beloved by its congregation for over 40 years, to ruins. Damage estimates exceed $3.2 million, not only for the structural loss but also for the costs incurred while the congregation relocated services to a middle school.
One firefighter was injured in the blaze, prompting an emotional response from authorities. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller condemned O’Dell’s actions, highlighting the “extreme disregard for community safety” that could have caused much greater harm.
“Wounds That Deepen Each Day”
In federal court, U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead delivered a somber and impassioned sentence. He described the arson as “devastating and dangerous,” noting that O’Dell had burned down “the spiritual home of a congregation.” The judge emphasized the emotional toll on congregants, saying, “The wounds you have inflicted deepen for each day they are away from their home.”
What Comes Next
O’Dell had pleaded guilty in April 2025 to three federal felonies: arson, damage to religious property, and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs.
While her prison sentence is now set, the court has scheduled a separate restitution hearing to determine the financial responsibility owed to the congregation.
Natasha O’Dell remains in custody as legal proceedings continue. The case stands as a stark reminder of the deep emotional and spiritual impact of targeted acts against places of faith.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Justice. (2025, September 4). Texas woman sentenced to six years in prison for arson of Snohomish County church. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/texas-woman-sentenced-six-years-prison-arson-snohomish-county-church
People. (2025, September 4). Woman took an Uber to church to set the building on fire. Now, she’s spending years in prison for the ‘devastating’ act. https://people.com/natasha-marie-odell-sentenced-to-6-years-in-prison-setting-church-on-fire-arson-11805034
KOMO News. (2025, September 4). Texas woman sentenced to 6 years in prison for Maltby church arson fire in 2023. https://komonews.com/news/local/texas-woman-sentenced-six-years-in-prison-for-maltby-church-arson-fire-in-2023-snohomish-county-congregation-us-district-court-seattle
Fox News. (2025, September 4). Texas woman sentenced to 6 years in prison for setting Washington State church fire. https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-woman-sentenced-6-years-prison-setting-washington-state-church-fire
