A Utah woman, Lenita "Tessa" Joy Moreno, 25, has been arrested on charges including first-degree aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel in Kaysville, Utah, on the day before her scheduled wedding.
The incident, which occurred more than two weeks prior to her arrest on Monday, caused an estimated $108,000 in damages to the church building. According to court documents, Moreno and her family were in the process of setting up for her wedding when the fire alarm was triggered.
Investigators found evidence at the scene suggesting the blaze started under a chair, with items including what appeared to be a tampon used in its ignition. Bystanders reportedly attempted to extinguish the fire using water from decorations and a fire extinguisher.
Court documents state that Moreno and her fiancé had visited Ace Hardware earlier that day, where surveillance footage later showed Moreno stealing two to three lighters. While Moreno admitted to shoplifting, she did not specify what items she took. Her fiancé was not present during the alleged theft of the lighters.
Further complicating matters, authorities revealed that Moreno had not obtained a marriage license for her wedding, despite having told others she had. The probable cause document noted that it is believed Moreno started the fire while five other individuals were still inside the church.
Moreno was booked into Davis County Jail and faces charges that also include misdemeanor retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer.