Evette “Betty” Osuegbu, 62, from Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her part in a series of arson attacks and insurance fraud cases spanning nearly a decade. A district judge handed down the sentence following Osuegbu’s conviction on 15 counts by an East St. Louis jury after a five-day trial in December.
The charges included conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit arson, and using fire to commit a federal felony. Osuegbu’s co-defendant, Rufis Jefferson, 48, of Venice, had already pleaded guilty to similar charges related to these crimes.
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Osuegbu was involved in a scheme targeting a man with intellectual disabilities. She took advantage of his condition to secure property and insurance policies in his name. One incident involved Osuegbu instructing Jefferson to set fire to the victim’s home in East St. Louis. Using the victim’s name, she then sued the insurer for a larger payout. The insurance company settled, and Osuegbu kept the victim’s share without his knowledge.
During the trial, jurors also listened to recordings where Osuegbu was heard directing others on how to carry out fires while avoiding cameras and cell phone tracking. She gave advice on setting fires in ways that would be hard for experts to investigate. Law enforcement, including the ATF, stepped in before some planned fires in Granite City and Venice could happen.
This case highlights how Osuegbu orchestrated a long-running scheme involving deceit and dangerous acts to gain money through insurance fraud. The sentence serves as a strong reminder of the serious consequences faced by those who commit such crimes.