Columbia restaurant owner set to face judge on impersonation charges Tuesday

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia restaurant owner accused of impersonating elected officials will be making an initial appearance in court in the Dunklin County Justice Center Tuesday.

Crystal Umfress, owner of Casa Maria's in Columbia, is facing charges of impersonating an elected official in September after court documents say she sent emails accusing other Mexican restaurant owners of crimes.

Umfress allegedly was asking for information about the liquor licenses of "various" restaurants, falsely claiming hearings were scheduled for investigations and attempting to pose as other restaurant owners asking officials to revoke their liquor licenses.

Casa Maria's had its liquor license suspended over the summer after the state determined the name on the license was forged.

Umfress is also facing several other charges, including second-degree arson. She is accused of hiring someone to burn down another Mexican restaurant last summer in Kennett, Mo. A trial for that case is currently scheduled for February in Butler County.