Ex-Wife and Husband Indicted for Roles in 2001 Arson that Killed Their 15-Year Old Son

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 31 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri issued the following news release:

The United States Attorney's Office announced today the indictments of Sandra Kay Bryant (formerly known as Sandra Kay Kemper) and Steven Henry Kemper for their involvement in the November 16, 2001, arson of their home on Champana Lane in Florissant, Missouri. The Kemper's 15-year-old son was trapped in the basement and killed during the fire. The indictments were returned last week, but remained sealed until earlier today.

Sandra Kay Bryant alone was originally charged by the Saint Louis County Prosecutor's Office in 2002. During the ensuing trial the judge, over the objection of both the state prosecutor and the defense, declared a mistrial after deciding that he had erred in allowing the jury to hear evidence of a polygraph examination. The Missouri Supreme Court ultimately held that because the mistrial was declared over the defense objection, state prosecutors were barred from retrying the defendant by the United States Constitution's "double jeopardy" provision.

According to the indictment, Sandra Kay Bryant and Steven Henry Kemper participated in a continuous scheme to defraud multiple insurance companies from December 1996 through 2002. Included in the scheme were arsons of two residential dwellings in 1997 and 1999, as well as the arson of the Champana Lane residence in November 2001. During the early morning hours of November 16, 2001, the residence on Champana Lane was intentionally set ablaze while , her mother, her son, Steven Henry Kemper and another individual were present inside the residence. Everyone except their 15-year-old son was able to escape and his body was discovered by fire personnel in the basement of the home, on the floor, next to his bed. Immediately after the fire and in the months that followed, the Kempers made repeated misrepresentations to several insurance companies. Based upon those misrepresentations, the insurance companies made substantial payments to the Kempers pursuant to the terms of their applicable homeowners and life insurance policies.

The indictment represents the culmination of a major effort by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Gleysteen commented, "This case is about our Agency's commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice, particularly in cases such as arson where the public and first responders are needlessly put at risk." Aside from praise for ATF, United States Attorney Richard Callahan also cited the cooperation from the St. Louis County Police Department and the County Prosecutor's Office as important elements in leading to today's announcement.

The indictment charges Sandra Kay Bryant and Steven Henry Kemper with aiding and abetting the use of fire to commit mail fraud. Sandra Kay Bryant is charged separately in a second count with using fire to commit mail fraud. The penalties under each count are a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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