Grand Jury issues a “no-bill” in Iconic Village apartments arson case

SAN MARCOS – Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced Thursday that the Hays County Grand Jury issued a no-bill in the criminal case against Jacobe De Leon Oshea Ferguson, 31, who was arrested for Arson Causing Bodily Injury/Death and accused of starting the tragic 2018 fire at Iconic Village and Vintage Pads.

After meeting for two months, the grand jury did not find sufficient evidence to indict Ferguson on the felony charge in Texas, meaning a no-bill.

Dru Estes, 20, Belinda Moats, 21, Haley Michele Frizzell, 19, James Phillip Miranda, 23 and David Ortiz, 21, died in the fire on July 20, 2018. Zachary Sutterfield was severely injured sustaining third-degree burns to his body.

Many injured and killed in the fire were students at Texas State at the time.

Ferguson was said to have previously resided at Iconic Village in 2017 and was previously a student at Texas State. Ferguson was arrested in July 2023, 5 years later, by the US Marshals Lonestar Fugitive Task Force.

Ferguson has been free on bond since 2023, and the no-bill releases Ferguson from the bond.

In a press release sent to KTSW News, Attorney Higgins said he plans to work alongside law enforcement to continue the investigation. The grand jury also encouraged the investigation to continue.

“I want to thank the members of the Grand Jury for their time and attention to this matter. I also want to thank the families of the young people killed and injured in this tragic fire for their patience and understanding. We feel for their loss every day and we remain committed to bringing the arsonist to justice to provide closure to those who have lost so much. We take the Grand Jury’s encouragement to continue the investigation to heart and will continue to work with the task force to that end.”

Iconic Village and Vintage Pads were approved to be rebuilt in January 2019, six months after the fire. The rebuilt apartments still stand at the site of the fire, 222 Ramsay St.

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. We will update with more information when it is released.