Jury Convicts Granite City Woman of Conspiring to Commit Arson on Residential Properties for Insurance Payouts

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A southern Illinois jury 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. Osuegbu's sentencing hearing 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 Feb. 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. "I appreciate ATF's efforts to lead an extensive investigation to bring these perpetrators to justice."

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 Dec. 31, 2022. Osuegbu filed a claim with her insurance and collected an estimated $30,000.

Osuegbu and Jefferson were also recorded discussing plans to burn two additional buildings in Granite City and Venice but ultimately did not commit the arsons.

"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). "This conviction sends the message to anyone who considers conducting this type of violent act, it will not be tolerated. ATF is committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who commit these dangerous acts are held accountable."

Convictions for conspiracy to commit arson are punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment.

ATF led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Burke and Peter Reed prosecuted the case.