David Kifer, 37, was booked into the Faulkner County jail on Oct. 5, 2026 by the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of arson, interference with a law‑enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
According to the arrest warrant, Kifer is accused of discussing setting a fire for an insurance payout in text messages with his spouse, and the alleged fire destroyed the residence, as shown in the booking photograph below.
Arson Interference Resisting Arrest
The warrant states that on June 3, 2026 Kifer exchanged texts in which he suggested that a fire could be set “accidentally” to collect an insurance payment of roughly $235,000. Prosecutors say these messages provide probable cause that he contemplated arson for financial gain.
His spouse reported that the house was found burning with children’s possessions inside and that Kifer returned to the scene to retrieve tools, after which he allegedly claimed the fire appeared to originate from the laundry room. Court records say a search of his Black Smart Phone was authorized based on the alleged threatening messages.
The county lists the following charges:
- Arson ($100,000 Or More) (felony)
- Interfering With Law Enforcement Officer
- Resisting Arrest
According to the arrest warrant:
Mrs. Kifer advised Mr. Kifer set the fire and proceeded to show Deputies text messages from Mr. David Kifer. The conversation took place on June 3rd, 2026. The conversation states “Need to get mortgage caught up first.”, Mrs. Kifer responds “I know that.” And immediately follows with “And it can be sold when your behind in mortgage as well.”. Mr. Kifer proceeds to message “yeah, a quick sell. Probably best option tbh” and then states “Or it “accidentally” catches fire and collect insurance”. Mr. Kifer then states “Insurance coverage is like 235k”. The conversation continues speaking about missed payments for truck and mortgage, and how “detrimental” missing payments was to his credit score. Mr. Kifer later stated “[name withheld] burn it down I really don’t give AF at this point like I said I’ve exhausted all my financial resources. I’m tapped out and only make so much a week.”
Mrs. Kifer advised she returned home immediately to address the situation and found her residence with all of her children’s possessions inside completely on fire and firefighters actively working to put out the fire.
Mrs. Kifer advised Mr. Kifer came to the residence to pick up tools then to pick up fishing equipment according to what he had told her. Mrs. Kifer advised Mr. Kifer notified her via text while she was on the way the he though it looked like the fire was coming from the laundry room.
I believe probable cause exists to seize and search the Black Smart Phone with two cameras to the rear belonging to Mr. David Kifer due to the messages threatening arson for an insurance payout approximately one week prior to the structure fire.
Quoted from the arrest warrant filed July 7, 2026 in case 23SW-26-183. Transcribed from the court’s scanned copy and not checked character by character against the original.
A criminal charge is an accusation. David Kifer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Booking information comes from the public inmate roster published by the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, and may change as a case proceeds.
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