Special prosecutor named in cases for embattled Casa Maria’s owner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Scott County Prosecutor’s Office has been named the special prosecutor in a pair of cases involving a Columbia restaurant owner.

Crystal Umfress is charged with felonies in two cases in southeast Missouri. In one case, she’s charged with second-degree arson. In another, she was charged with two counts of filing false documents and three counts of forgery after she was accused of impersonating county officials and restaurant owners.

Both cases were initially in Dunklin County before being moved to Butler County.

Umress was accused in 2023 of hiring Kerry Raymond to set fire to Lupita's Mexican Restaurant, court documents in previous reporting say. 

A trial setting for Umfress is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at the Butler County Courthouse.

Raymond is charged with second-degree arson and his case was moved to Stoddard County. A case review is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 31.

Court filings in Raymond’s case from this month indicate that he will testify in Umfress’ case.