A jury in East St. Louis, Illinois, has convicted a woman of conspiring to burn properties in East St. Louis, Illinois, and Florissant, Missouri, and setting fire to an apartment in St. Louis to collect insurance benefits.
Evette B. Osuegbu, 62, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit arson and one count of use of fire to commit a federal felony.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, the pair admitted to conspiring to set Osuegbu’s St. Louis apartment on fire on December 31, 2022. Osuegbu filed a claim with her insurance and collected an estimated $30,000.
Osuitegbu and her co-defendant Rufis A. Jefferson were also recorded discussing plans to burn two additional buildings in Granite City and Venice but ultimately did not commit the arsons.
The convictions come after an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
“Arson is a dangerous act of violence that not only destroys property but also places firefighters, first responders, and the public at great risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen, Kansas City Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
The sentencing hearing for Osuegbu is scheduled for April 23, 2025. Co-defendant Rufis A. Jefferson, 47, of Venice, pleaded guilty in January and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6, 2025, at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.
The pair are guilty of conspiring together to commit arson to collect fraudulent insurance benefits, and they put unsuspecting neighbors in danger for their own callous greed,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
Convictions for conspiracy to commit arson are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime