Arson trial for embattled Casa Maria’s owner set for February; bond amended
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The trial over the second-degree arson charge of a Columbia restaurant owner is scheduled for February.
Crystal Umfress is charged with felonies in two cases in southeast Missouri. In one case, she’s charged with second-degree arson. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026. The trial is set to start Feb. 2, 2026.
Bond conditions in that case were amended during a Tuesday hearing and the court removed her ankle monitor, court filings show.
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.
Raymond is charged with second-degree arson and his case was moved to Stoddard County. A case review is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 31. Court filings in Raymond’s case from last month indicate that he will testify in Umfress’ case.