GLADSTONE, Mo. — Mia Lee Jamison, 67, of Gladstone, Mo., was charged today in federal court with attempting to hire an arsonist to torch her own commercial property in Kansas City — a scheme aimed at cashing in on a $1.6 million insurance policy before losing ownership in a civil lawsuit.
The criminal complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., accuses Jamison of one count of attempted malicious destruction of property. She remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing. The charges expose a calculated effort to profit from fire, targeting Mia Plaza — a strip building near 39th Street and Bell Avenue housing three active businesses: 39th World of Spirits, Bob Wasabi Kitchen, and Sahara Sheesha Lounge.
According to an affidavit, Jamison met with an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agent on April 23 and offered $150,000 to set the blaze. She insisted the fire appear accidental and suggested a 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. window to minimize risk to tenants. Surveillance recordings captured the entire plot unfolding in chilling detail.
On April 24, Jamison paid the undercover agent $3,500 upfront — the first installment of her $150,000 offer — after driving together to her bank and then to the building. She admitted she had previously approached another individual about burning it down but backed out, opting instead for what she believed was a more reliable contractor.
Jamison’s urgency spiked on April 26 when she informed the agent she needed the fire done before Monday — the day she’d lose legal ownership due to an ongoing civil case. She offered to increase the payment, accelerating the plot. By April 28, she reported disabling the building’s video surveillance system, clearing the way for the planned destruction.
At approximately 4 a.m. on April 29, federal agents conducted a ruse interview at her residence, informing Jamison the building had already burned. When she reacted with relief, they revealed the truth: no fire, no payout — just a federal arrest. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford and investigated by ATF. The charge is an accusation; guilt must be proven in court.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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