New Braunfels woman federally charged in alleged arson attempt at Republican Party HQ

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — A New Braunfels woman is facing federal charges after prosecutors say she attempted to set fire to a building housing the Comal County Republican Party Headquarters earlier this year.
A federal grand jury in San Antonio indicted 22-year-old Grace Carol Brown on charges of actual and attempted malicious damage by fire to property involved in interstate or foreign commerce, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
Court documents state the incident happened Jan. 14 at a building in New Braunfels that houses the Comal County Republican Party Headquarters, along with two other commercial businesses.
Prosecutors allege Brown broke a window and threw a backpack into the building before unsuccessfully attempting to climb inside through the broken window. Investigators say she then lit a rolled magazine on fire and threw it into the building.
ALSO| Austin police identify man accused of throwing rocks at cars from Ben White overpass
Authorities said Brown allegedly left a note at the scene.
According to investigators, the backpack contained items including a container of ethanol, two containers of gasoline, a lighter, and matches.
Federal prosecutors also allege investigators found writings and other evidence showing Brown expressed hostility toward the Comal County Republican Party, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and certain Executive Branch officials, whom she allegedly described as “Enemies of the U.S. Constitution.”
Brown was arrested Jan. 22 and was initially charged in Comal County with burglary of a building and arson. She now faces federal charges that carry a possible sentence of five to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Marshal’s Office.
Federal prosecutors noted that an indictment is only an allegation and Brown is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.