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
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