Illinois Woman Charged with Arson, Insurance Fraud

An Alton woman is facing charges of residential arson and insurance fraud after firefighters responded to a fire at a home on West 19th Street, where a blanket was found over a space heater. Trenisha M Lavender, 39, of 240 W. 19th St., Alton, is charged with residential arson for allegedly attempting to defraud State Farm Insurance by fire damage to a residence. The insurance fraud count alleges she attempted to obtain by deception between $10,000 and $100,000.