Casa Maria’s owner accused of arson cited with operating business without license

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The owner of Casa Maria’s Mexican Cantina in Columbia -- who was recently charged with second-degree arson – has now been cited with operating the business without a valid license.

Crystal Umfress, 42, was cited on Monday with a license violation. According to the violation notice, the business license for the south Columbia restaurant expired on June 30. An initial appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 at the Columbia Municipal Court.

Umfress appeared Tuesday at the Dunklin County Courthouse for her second-degree arson charge. She posted a $65,000 bond in court.  She was initially booked into the Cape Girardeau County Jail last week. Details of her arrest were not available.

The Dunklin County prosecutor said late Tuesday that Umfress was released after posting bond.

Umfress waived a formal arraignment and she has a preliminary hearing set for 1 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Dunklin County Courthouse.

Court documents filed in July state that Umfress contacted a witness asking her to burn a business in Kennett. A fire later broke out at Lupita's Mexican Restaurant.

Umfress then allegedly hired Kerry Raymond to set the fire. A witness told Kennett police that Umfress contacted her to burn the business when Raymond was with her, according to a probable cause statement.

Raymond was also charged with second-degree arson. He has a $65,000 bond set.