Granite City Woman Sentenced To 15 Years for Decade-Long Arson and Insurance Fraud Scheme
EAST ST. LOUIS — Evette “Betty” Osuegbu, 62, of Granite City, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison for orchestrating a series of arsons and insurance fraud schemes spanning nearly a decade. A jury in East St. Louis found Osuegbu guilty in December on all 15 counts of an indictment charging conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit arson, and use of fire to commit a federal felony. The crimes occurred between 2014 and 2023 and involved multiple properties, including an occupied apartment complex. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft described arson as “an inherently dangerous crime,” emphasizing the risks to firefighters and the broader community. “Arsons cause unnecessary blight, raise insurance rates, lower property values and can harm neighbors,” he said. “We will continue to seek heavy penalties for these destructive and dangerous crimes.” Osuegbu’s co-defendant, Rufis Jefferson, 48,