New Braunfels Woman Federally Indicted in Attempted Arson at Comal County Republican Headquarters

A New Braunfels woman is now facing a federal charge after prosecutors say she attempted to set fire to the building that houses the Comal County Republican Party Headquarters earlier this year.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, a federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment this week charging Grace Carol Brown, 22, with actual and attempted malicious damage by fire to property involved in interstate or foreign commerce. The charge stems from a Jan. 14, 2026 incident at a New Braunfels building that houses the Comal County Republican Party Headquarters and two other commercial businesses.  

Court documents allege Brown broke a window, threw a backpack inside the building, and then tried to climb through the broken window. Prosecutors say she was unsuccessful, then allegedly lit a rolled magazine on fire and threw it into the building. Authorities also allege that a note was left at the scene.  

The backpack found inside the building allegedly contained ethanol, gasoline, a lighter, matches, and other items, according to federal officials. Investigators also said Brown’s writings and actions showed hostility toward the Comal County Republican Party Headquarters, certain law enforcement agencies, including ICE, and some executive branch officials.  

Brown was arrested on Jan. 22 and charged locally in Comal County with burglary of a building and arson. She now faces the federal charge as well. If convicted in federal court, she could face five to 20 years in federal prison, though any sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge.  

The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Mangels is prosecuting the case.  

Federal officials emphasized that an indictment is only an allegation, and Brown is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.