Nearly five years after a fire destroyed one building at the Iconic Village and Vintage Pad Apartments, located at 1000 N. LBJ Drive, San Marcos, law enforcement announced the arrest of Austin resident Jacobe De Leon O Shea Ferguson on July 6.

"We never stopped investigating, and we followed up on every single lead," said Les Stephens, chief of the San Marcos Fire Department, during a press conference. "Although it is impossible to thank everyone individually, I do want to say thank you to the countless individuals and agencies that have been a part of or supported this investigation."

The details

Ferguson was arrested July 5 and booked at the Hays County Jail. Ferguson faces charges of arson causing bodily injury and death in the first degree.

"No other arrests are anticipated to be made in this case," San Marcos Fire Marshal Jonathan Henderson said.

A motive is unknown at this time.

The backstory

The fire, which destroyed one building in the Iconic Village complex and damaged two others, occurred July 20, 2018, leaving five people dead, several people injured and more than 200 people without homes. Those who died were: Haley Michele Frizzell, 19, of San Angelo; Dru Estes, 20, of San Antonio; Belinda Moats, 21, of Big Wells; David Angel Ortiz, 21, of Pasadena; and James Phillip Miranda, 23, of Mount Pleasant.

The arrest was made the day of what would have been Estes' 25th birthday.

The context

Henderson said the on-scene investigation lasted 10 days. Throughout that time evidence was collected and processed from the scene, and interviews were taking place. Henderson emphasized the case had always been a priority to the San Marcos Fire Department as well as the Houston Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"We've never given up on this case," Henderson said. "We have been discouraged; we've suffered setbacks, but never given up."

In 2022, the Iconic Village Investigative Task Force was formed to assist with the investigation under the direction of Stephens and San Marcos Chief of Police Steve Standridge. The task force consisted of the following individuals:

• Keith Pauska, Texas Ranger
• Kelly Minor, assistant to the San Marcos Police Department
• Robert Dallimore, deputy fire marshal for the San Marcos Fire Department
• Rey Alatorre, senior special agent with the ATF

Henderson—who was also a part of the task force—said multiple witnesses were reinterviewed, yielding valuable information that was further corroborated by the ATF fire investigator, ultimately leading to Ferguson's arrest. Henderson described Ferguson's reaction as "startled."

Quote of note

Brian Frizzell, Haley Michelle Frizzell's father, said they were happy with the outcome.

"We're happy that this day has finally come, but most importantly we want to thank all the people who made it happen because I know six or seven months ago this sure seemed like it was ready to go and be a cold case forever," Brian Frizzell said.