A Kearney woman is being accused of arson following an early morning fire Wednesday at a Kearney home.
Buffalo County Court records show 60-year-old Cathy Schmidt is charged with 1st-Degree Arson, Criminal Mischief of $5,000 or More, Attempted Fraudulent Insurance Activity, Burning to Defraud Insurer, Shoplifting and three counts of False Reporting.
According to an arrest affidavit, fire crews responded to 1916 3rd Avenue in Kearney at around 3:53am Wednesday to a structure fire.
Investigators spoke with Schmidt, who lived at the home.
Court records say she reported previous incidents where someone was allegedly leaving threatening notes asking for the whereabouts of Schmidt’s son, who did not live at the property.
An initial search also turned up two partially empty cans of Zippo Lighter Fluid outside of the home near where the fire began.
The affidavit alleges during the investigation, it was learned that Schmidt was served an eviction notice after failing to pay around $7,000 in rent.
Investigators also found a notebook at the home that allegedly had indentations of writing matching the threatening notes.
Court records say investigators also determined Schmidt had purchased the same Zippo Lighter fuel found at the scene, but shoplifted a second.
The affidavit says an insurance agent reported Schmidt had filed a claim for insurance after the fire.
According to the agent, Schmidt had obtained renter’s insurance a month prior, and hadn’t had renter’s insurance for three years before.
The affidavit says when faced with the evidence against her, Schmidt denied setting the fire.
She was arraigned on the charges Thursday, where her bond was set at 10% of $250,000.
Her next court hearing is set for September 2nd at 1:30pm.
