KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A shocking crime has left the community reeling as a local business owner has been charged with conspiring to commit arson against a rival business and a residence.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri, William ‘Bill’ Joseph Reneau, 41, of Overland Park, Kansas, is accused of participating in a conspiracy to destroy an Independence residence and a business, Bobby Jackson’s Trading, a gold-buying business operated by a former employee of Reneau’s at 302 E. 23rd Street in Independence.
The complaint alleges that Reneau hired others to damage Bobby Jackson’s Trading in July and August of 2017, and then to burn the business as well as a residence owned by his wife’s ex-husband in August 2018.
Reneau allegedly paid R.Y. $800 to damage the Bobby Jackson’s Trading building, which occurred on July 17, 2017. The damage was approximately $10,000.
On August 4, 2017, R.Y. set fire to Bobby Jackson’s Trading. During the investigation, investigators located what appeared to be containers that were used to bring gasoline to the business and set the fire near the front doors and windows. The fire caused approximately $5,000 dollars in damage to the exterior and interior of the business.
Reneau allegedly paid R.Y. $800 for setting the fire. He also paid $500 to another person, T.T., to have the Independence residence burned down. T.T. obtained details of the residence online and provided that information for the person doing the arson.
On August 13, 2018, police officers responded to the house fire. Investigators determined the fire originated on the exterior of the home on the back deck. An outdoor rug was located within the area of origin that was partially burned and had an odor consistent with that of gasoline. A melted red plastic gasoline container was also observed next to the rug.
Reneau is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit arson. The exact date of the crime is not specified, but the investigation began in 2017 and continued through 2018.
No sentence or outcome is reported at this time.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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