Arson case for Casa Maria’s owner moved to Butler County

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

An owner of a Mexican restaurant in Columbia who has been accused of arson in Dunklin County had her case moved to Butler County on Wednesday.

Crystal Umfress, 42, was charged with second-degree arson. Umfress is an owner of Casa Maria’s Restaurant in Columbia. Her lawyer had requested a change of venue on Dec. 27. Her next court date has not been set.

An order to remove her ankle bracelet was filed. She was previously ordered to wear a GPS device.

Court documents filed in July state that Umfress contacted a witness and asked 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 case review is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, March 14.