Springfield woman accused of setting house on fire over dispute of property disposition

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Springfield woman confessed to pouring gasoline through a residence and setting the house on fire over a property disposition dispute yesterday on Monday, July 28.

According to online court dockets, Cheryl Gibson, born 1965, is charged with felony second-degree arson.

The probable cause statement says Gibson was involved in a family dispute with the victim regarding the disposition of her late father's Springfield residence. She and the victim had a financial interest in the property, which was occupiable and insured at the time of the arson.

Prior to the incident yesterday, Gibson sent a text message to the victim indicating her intention to "burn the place down," the statement says.

The statement says that around 6 p.m. yesterday, Gibson contacted 911 requesting information on "how to obtain a burn permit for the house."

An hour later, she intentionally set fire to the residence, pouring gasoline throughout the house and igniting the gasoline using a book of matches.

Immediately after starting the fire, Gibson called 911 and reported the incident. During the call, she admitted that she had poured gasoline through the house and used matches to ignite the fire because of the property disposition dispute.

Gibson was motivated by her desire to prevent the victim from obtaining financial gain from the property's sale, according to the statement.

She was found to be in possession of an unused matchbook when arrested, which was identical to a used matchbook recovered from the area of the fire's origin, the statement says.

The house sustained fire and smoke damage throughout most of the rooms, per the statement.

She is currently being held in the Greene County Jail with a $5,000 bond surety set.