Sikeston man charged with conspiring to burn down own rental house

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston man is charged with attempted to burn down his own rental property following an undercover investigation.

Robert Gipson, 58, of rural Sikeston is charged with second-degree attempted arson and distribution of a controlled substance near government housing. He was released from custody after posting a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

The investigation began Dec. 31, when an individual contacted the Sikeston Department of Public Safety about a property owner who asked him to burn his rental property, according to DPS Sgt. Jim McMillen. The informant told authorities Gipson asked him to burn rental property located at 111 Ruth St. in Sikeston.

"According to the subject, Gipson offered him a large sum of money to burn the residence while making it look like an accident," McMillen said in a news release. "The subject said Gipson continued to ask him to burn the residence even after he turned him down several times. The informant said that he became afraid for the family living in the residence for fear that Gipson would find someone who would go through with the crime."

Investigators with DPS assisted by the SEMO Drug Task Force and the ATF were able to record Gipson as he laid out a plan to burn the home. Also Gipson attempted to sell some of his prescribed hydrocodone medication to the informant during the investigation.

On Jan. 4 Gipson met the informant to provide the items to burn the residence and the hydrocodone medication. It was then that he was arrested by DPS detectives.

"It is believed that Gipson would have made approximately $50,000 from the insurance money as a result of the fire," McMillen said.

Pertinent address:

111 Ruth St., Sikeston, MO