Jury Convicts Man in Diné College Arson

A federal jury has found a 21-year-old Navajo Nation member guilty of setting fire to the student union building at Diné College in Arizona.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Financial Crime

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A federal jury found Marco Anderson Bia, 21, guilty this week of setting fire to the student union building at Diné College. Prosecutors allege he broke into the building in April of last year, stole items, and then set it on fire to cover his tracks.

Why it matters

The fire disrupted essential student and community services and displaced numerous departments at the Arizona tribal college. For residents across Arizona, the case shows how a campus theft investigation can escalate into a federal arson prosecution.

Bia was convicted by a federal jury on arson charges, which carry a maximum of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or the property repair cost, whichever is greater. No sentencing date has been reported.

The players

Marco Anderson Bia

The 21-year-old Navajo Nation member convicted of setting fire to the Diné College student union building.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal law enforcement agency whose Phoenix Division's Gallup office joined the investigation into the fire.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

The federal agency that participated in the joint investigation of the student union fire.

Navajo Nation Criminal Investigator's Office

The tribal law enforcement office that led the investigation alongside federal agencies.

The details

Bia allegedly broke into the student union building at Diné College in April 2025, stole items, and then set the building on fire. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Navajo Nation Criminal Investigator's Office, the FBI Phoenix Division's Gallup office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

April 2025: Alleged break-in and theft at the Diné College student union building.
October 30, 2026: Federal jury finds Bia guilty of arson.

Legal Context

Federal arson prosecutions of this kind rely on the federal arson statute, which carries penalties of up to 25 years in prison. Cases involving tribal institutions often draw on joint tribal and federal investigative resources, as seen here with the Navajo Nation and the FBI.

Students and staff at Diné College may see continued disruption while the student union and displaced departments are restored. Residents of the area should watch for updates on campus services as the building is repaired.

The takeaway

Campus property crimes can carry serious federal consequences when they involve arson. Students and institutions alike benefit from prompt reporting of break-ins to prevent escalation.