LoriM. Jones, Arson, Illinois 2023

A deadly fire that swept through the Cahokia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cahokia, Illinois, on May 31, 2016, was set intentionally by a former employee, a federal judge ruled.

LoriM. Jones, 50, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for one count of Arson, a crime that put the lives of two bedridden residents at risk.

The Honorable Michael J. Reagan ordered Jones to pay restitution in the amount of $1,074,407.33 to compensate for the damage caused by the fire.

According to court records, Jones, a Certified Nursing Assistant, was working at the CNRC when she intentionally set the fire by lighting some clothes in a closet on fire with a lighter.

The room was occupied at the time by the two bedridden residents, who were evacuated safely by firefighters and employees without sustaining any serious injuries.

Court proceedings revealed that surveillance footage showed Jones leaving the room where the fire was located approximately 1 minute prior to smoke being detected.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with assistance from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/east-st-louis-woman-sentenced-prison-arson