PARKER COUNTY —
A Saginaw man, John Madison Holmes, 39, was arrested Thursday and has been charged with arson, insurance fraud and money laundering in connection with a suspected March 12 arson.
His wife, Jodi Sue Holmes, 36, was arrested Friday on a charge of money laundering, as well.
Soon after the fire that destroyed the couple’s two-story house at 1450 Veal Station Road that was undergoing remodel work, Holmes told Parker County Fire Marshal’s Investigator Ken Dabbs he had been at the house dropping off supplies for contractors 30 to 45 minutes before firefighters were called out to the blaze, according to court records.
“A credible witness” recently came forward and said John Holmes started the fire in three rooms of the house using kerosene and gasoline, according to Dabbs, who already believed the fire to be intentionally set after finding no electrical shorts or other reasonable cause.
Holmes and his wife received $429,000 in insurance money, Dabbs said.
The complaint filed by Dabbs alleges Jodi Holmes knew about the arson and used the proceeds to make purchases, including plastic surgery and a $40,000 diamond ring.
As of Friday, investigators have no indication the couple has ever been involved in anything like the suspected arson and neither has ever been arrested, according to Dabbs.
However, the investigation is ongoing and they are working in cooperation with the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, the Parker County Special Crimes Unit, the Parker County Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and the FBI, Dabbs said.
John Holmes was released on $225,000 bond and his wife was released on $75,000 bond Friday afternoon.
Reach Christin Coyne at ccoyne@weatherforddemocrat.com
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
