Iasha Denise Cannady, Molotov Cocktail Attacks, Missouri 2020

A 48-year-old Jefferson City woman has been behind bars for setting fire to two rental properties, putting the lives of innocent children and elderly residents at risk. Iasha Denise Cannady was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole for her heinous crimes.

On July 27, 2020, Cannady used Molotov cocktails to set fire to two rental properties in Jefferson City. The first property, located in the 800 block of Lafayette Street, was rented by V.C. and contained V.C.’s 3-year-old granddaughter, her disabled elderly mother, and her elderly aunt. The second property, located in the 1200 block of East Walter Street, was rented by N.P. and contained her 13-year-old daughter. Surveillance videos showed Cannady lighting a bottle and putting it on the windowsill of the first property, before her minor son threw the bottle through the window.

According to the witness, Cannady was upset that her daughter was involved in a fight at Capital City Mall and stated that she was going to find the people involved and throw bombs at their houses. This disturbing behavior led to the violent attacks on the two rental properties.

The first property caught fire at approximately 1 a.m., with investigators finding a broken window and a vodka bottle on a bedroom floor. The second property also suffered significant damage, with investigators finding a burnt clear bottle on the front window of the residence, which had an odor of gasoline and a Cognac bottle that contained gasoline with a rag sticking out of the top.

Cannady’s prior felony convictions include arson for setting her daughter’s car on fire, as well as several prior felony convictions for domestic assault, drug trafficking, and stealing. The combination of her violent behavior and prior convictions made her a menace to society, and her 12-year sentence is a fitting punishment for her crimes.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Maness and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Jefferson City, Mo., Fire Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Cannady’s crimes demonstrate the devastating consequences of violent behavior and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. As a society, we must work together to prevent such crimes from occurring and to support those affected by them.

Related Federal Cases