4 St. Louis-Area Men Convicted in $3.5 Million Arson Scheme

Four St. Louis-area men were convicted Wednesday of federal charges related to the torching of four grocery stores as part of a scheme to collect more than $3.5 million in insurance claims. After a 13-day trial, a U.S. District Court jury convicted Zeyad Abdeljabbar, 39, of Town and Country; Charles D’Ary, 55, of Venice, Ill.; and Mohammad Almassri, 40, and Walid Ihmoud, 54, both of St. Louis, of arson, attempted arson, conspiracy and mail fraud charges.

The four were ordered to remain in custody pending sentencing set for July 28 for Abdeljabbar and Ihmoud, a day later for D’Ary and Almassri. The most serious counts carry possible 20-year prison terms and up to $250,000 in fines.