Background: The Randolph County Jail in Winchester, Ind. (Google Maps). Inset: Travis Clark (Randolph County Jail).

Travis Clark, 29, was taken into custody on October 27 after approaching the Winchester Police Department to “confess to a crime,” as detailed in court records accessed by local Fox station WXIN. Authorities reported that Clark admitted to setting his home ablaze in late September, purportedly to claim insurance money to alleviate his credit card debt. He now faces charges of arson and is being held at the Randolph County Jail.

Clark explained to law enforcement that his mounting credit card debt left him feeling stressed and angry. In his account, he described lighting a fire in his laundry room before heading to work that morning.

In a surprising revelation, Clark confessed to a previous attempt at a similar act three years prior, which went uninvestigated by his insurance company. However, the September incident drew scrutiny. Clark also acknowledged conducting online searches on “how to start a fire” using his cellphone.

But Clark also told police that he had allegedly attempted a similar scheme before. Court documents stated that Clark told officers that he tried to set fire to his home three years ago for the same reason, but the insurance company did not investigate. The fire in September, Clark said, was investigated. Clark admitted to police that he had searched “how to start a fire” on his cellphone.

After meeting with an insurance adjuster, Clark allegedly “took a butane lighter and torched the wire even more to make it look more convincing for insurance costs,” the court documents said.

In a written statement, Clark reportedly said that he “snapped” due to his bills “piling up.”

Clark was charged with one count of arson. He posted $1,000 bond shortly after his arrest and was released from jail. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026.