Magnolia Man Accused of Arson Arrested 330 Miles Away After Statewide Manhunt

MAGNOLIA, TX -- Just after 11 am Monday, August 18, 2025, the Magnolia Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 200 block of Sundew Ct. in Magnolia. Upon their arrival, firefighters found that the interior of the residence had sustained heavy fire, smoke and heat damage. Fire Investigators from the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and determined that the house was intentionally set on fire.

Investigators identified 37 year old Justin Lee Stewart as the person who set the house on fire, reportedly after a family argument. Stewart fled the scene and was initially believed to be headed out of the area with the intention to cause harm to other persons in the Victoria area. A statewide attempt to locate bulletin was sent out for Stewart.

At approximately 10 pm that evening, DPS Troopers and Kimble County Sheriff’s Deputies located Stewart’s vehicle at a roadside rest stop west of Junction, TX, some 330 miles from the house in Magnolia. Once Stewart spotted law enforcement he led them on a short vehicle chase before being taken into custody. Stewart is currently being held in the Kimble County jail and he will be returned to Montgomery County where he is facing a 1st Degree Felony Arson charge.

The MCFMO would like to recognize all of the other Law Enforcement Agencies who assisted in Stewart’s apprehension and prevention of further potential violence.

Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department
Victoria County Sheriff’s Department
City of Victoria Police Department
Nueces County Sheriff’s Department
Corpus Christi Police Department
Kimble County Sheriff’s Department
Texas Department of Public Safety