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A Monroe, La., couple already jailed on drug charges now face more trouble over an alleged scheme to have someone set fire to their home so they could collect insurance money to make bail.

Orrell M. “Red” White, 25, and her boyfriend, Preston L. “Vel” Kyles, 35, both of Monroe, now face charges of arson with intent to defraud following an investigation by state police.

The two were originally arrested July 31 after a traffic stop in Richland Parish set off a chain of events that halted a drug transfer in Madison Parish and led to a large cocaine seizure at the couple’s home.

State police, with the help from Monroe police, initially arrested the couple on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute more than 200 grams, conspiracy to distribute more than 200 grams of cocaine.

Kyles was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, simple possession of marijuana and illegal use of a controlled substance in the presence of minors.

The couple’s children were released into the custody of family members that night following the drug seizure.

Kyles’ bond was set at $250,750 and White’s bond was set at $200,000.

Police reports state the couple’s house burned on Aug. 10, 11 days after they were arrested. Arrest affidavits state that the couple came in contact with someone and “had the house on S. Ninth St., burned in order to obtain insurance money, so they could bond out of jail on their drug charges.”

The name of the person believed to have set the fire has not been made public.

Information from: The News-Star,

Topics Louisiana Law Enforcement