A man in Lavaca County, Texas, has pleaded guilty to setting several fires involving hay bales and vehicles. Kody Derner admitted to starting six hay bale fires that took place in 2024, along with a felony charge for burning a vehicle.
Derner was arrested in April 2025 by the Hallettsville Police Department after an investigation led by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The probe began following incidents that included two vehicle fires and a fire in a storage building at a local hotel. Officials used cell phone records and location data to link Derner to these fires as well as the hay bale incidents.
In court, Derner was sentenced to four years in prison. He also must pay over $24,000 in damages to those affected by the fires. Meanwhile, another arson case against him is moving forward in Harris County.
The investigation saw cooperation between several agencies, including the City of Humble Fire Marshal’s Office and the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, highlighting the team effort to stop the fires and hold Derner responsible.