Warrant ordered for Casa Maria’s owner accused of arson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A warrant was ordered in Dunklin County on Tuesday for an owner of a Mexican restaurant in Columbia who was accused of arson.

According to court records, a warrant was ordered for Crystal Umfress for failing to abide a judge’s order. Court records say Umfress, 40, violated the terms of her bond by failing to keep a GPS device charged properly. No bond was set.

Umfress is an owner of Casa Maria’s Restaurant in Columbia. ABC 17 News has reached out to Umfress and her lawyer.

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, 40, of Gideon, was also charged with second-degree arson. A change of venue was filed in Raymond’s case and it was moved to Stoddard County. A hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Stoddard County Courthouse.