A man has been indicted, accused of starting fires at a hotel in Missouri. Brandon Dallas Smith, aged 40, faces an arson charge related to a fire at a hotel on March 26, 2025, near Ferguson, Missouri. Court documents indicate that patrons were alerted by a fire alarm at 2:48 a.m. and discovered two fires near hotel rooms, with a third fire on the second-floor stairwell. The criminal complaint suggests that Smith purchased gasoline at a nearby store before starting the fires.
The legal process of indictment or criminal complaint includes charges which are accusations and not proof of guilt. The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants until guilt is proved. The charge of arson carries a potential punishment of at least five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
The incident is under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the St. Louis County Bomb and Arson Squad. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen.