FRISCO, Texas (Diya TV) — A 22-year-old Indian American student from the University of Texas at Dallas has been arrested in North Texas on serious criminal charges, including arson at a place of worship and making a terroristic threat, according to jail and court records reviewed by The Dallas Express.
Manojh Sai Lella was taken into custody by Frisco police on Dec. 22 after officers arrested him on sight and executed a local warrant issued in Collin County. Authorities have not released details about the alleged incident or identified the place of worship involved.
Collin County jail records show that Lella faces two charges. Prosecutors have charged him with a first-degree felony for arson with intent to damage a habitat or place of worship. He also faces a Class A misdemeanor charge for making a terroristic threat against a family or household member.
Frisco police served as both the arresting agency and the authority that issued the warrant, according to court documents. Records list Lella as a male born in 2003 with a home address in Frisco. Police have not made public statements about the case. Investigators have also withheld information about the circumstances that led to the arrest.
Court records show that a judge set Lella’s bond for the arson charge at $100,000. The bond for the misdemeanor terroristic threat charge stands at $3,500. As of Dec. 24, jail records show that Lella had spent two days in custody at the Collin County jail. Court documents do not list an attorney representing him at this stage. No court rulings or plea entries have been reported in either case.
Under Texas law, a first-degree felony carries a possible prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years, or life. A Class A misdemeanor can result in up to one year in jail. Prosecutors must prove the allegations in court before any sentence can be imposed.
Lella is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he studies Information Technology, according to his LinkedIn profile. The profile describes him as a driven and passionate student with skills in programming languages, Tableau, and Power BI.
He has also sought internship opportunities in the technology field. His profile lists experience in volunteer work and participation in several student organizations. These include Business Professionals of America and DECA, both of which focus on career development and leadership skills.
Lella also reported volunteer work as a math and reading tutor at Gideon Math & Reading. He later took on full teaching responsibilities at the center, according to his profile. As of this week, no public posts appeared on his LinkedIn account.
The Frisco Police Department has not commented publicly on the arrest or the allegations. Officials have not disclosed what led investigators to suspect Lella or what evidence they plan to present. Authorities have also not named the place of worship mentioned in the arson charge. The lack of detail has raised questions, but police have continued to withhold information while the case remains under investigation.
Court records indicate that the legal process remains in its early stages. No hearings have been reported, and no defense attorney has entered an appearance on Lella’s behalf. Legal experts note that first-degree arson charges in Texas require proof of intent and serious risk to people or property. Prosecutors must show that the accused acted knowingly and targeted a protected space, such as a place of worship.
The terroristic threat charge also requires prosecutors to prove that a credible threat caused fear or disruption. Until those facts emerge in court, the allegations remain unproven.
