Press Release
☷Venice Man Admits to Arson for Hire of St Louis Apartment Conspiring to Burn Additional Illinois Properties for Insurance Money
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( By Press Release office)
Jan 18,2024
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A man from Venice pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday for his involvement in a scheme to commit arson on residential properties and collect fraudulent insurance benefits . Rufis A . Jefferson , 47 , admitted to 14 federal felony charges , including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud , mail fraud , wire fraud , and conspiracy to commit arson . According to court documents , Jefferson confessed to being paid by a family member to set fire to her St . Louis apartment so she could claim insurance money . He also admitted to planning to burn two other buildings but was stopped by law enforcement . The relative ' s insurance company paid out over $30 , 000 for the apartment fire . Evette B . Osuegbu , 61 , of Granite City , is also facing the same charges . Jefferson ' s sentencing hearing is set for April 25 , and he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count . The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives led the investigation .
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