Texas Clinic Owner Guilty in Attempted Arson Case

The owner of an East Texas methadone clinic has pleaded guilty to trying to have a competitor’s business torched and then seeking to have a co-defendant killed.

Prosecutors in Tyler say 43-year-old Edwards Jacobs on Tuesday pleaded guilty to attempted arson and murder-for-hire solicitation. No sentencing date was immediately set for Jacobs, who faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.

Investigators say Jacobs in March gave Daniel Kubisty about $3,000 to burn a competitor’s clinic. Officers arrested Kubisty and seized a gasoline can with a saturated wick.

Jacobs and Kubisty were indicted in June on attempted arson and conspiracy to commit arson charges.

Authorities allege Jacobs then tried to hire someone to kill Kubisty to block his testimony. That person was cooperating with investigators.

Kubisty awaits trial.