Show-Me State Times

U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced a St. Louis woman to two years in prison for setting multiple fires at a hotel shortly after her employment there ended. Ramona Cook, 26, was also placed on supervised release for three years and ordered to pay $119,067 in restitution.

Cook had been working as a housekeeper at the Marriott St. Louis Airport until her termination on December 22, 2022. Following her dismissal, she refused to leave the premises until police were called to escort her out. She later returned and ignited seven small fires throughout the hotel starting around 5 p.m., which led to an evacuation and activation of the sprinkler system, causing damage to the property.

In August, Cook pleaded guilty to a felony charge of using a facility of interstate commerce with intent to commit a crime of violence.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen prosecuted the case.