Woman ordered to pay $90K for torching Immokalee home

A woman who pleaded guilty to setting fire to an Immokalee home in February was ordered to pay $90,000 in restitution to the property management company that owns the building.

Jesula Francois, 36, of the 900 block of Arthur Street, also was placed on 12 years of probation and ordered to complete mental health court. She entered the plea Sept. 26.

Francois started the fire at 116 N. Sixth St. late on Feb. 7 after arguing with her husband’s ex, according to a Collier County Sheriff’s Office booking report. Francois was throwing clothes and breaking bottles of perfume and liquor on the floor during the argument.

“Tonight no one is sleeping in this house,” Francois announced before lighting a blanket on fire and walking through the house with it, according to Collier deputies.

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The flaming blanket ignited the perfume and liquor on the floor, causing the fire to spread, according to an arrest report.

Francois told deputies at the time that she had become angry because her husband’s ex, Sintilia Michel, had taken her husband to her Sixth Street home, where he practiced voodoo. She said that during the argument some of her husband’s candles were knocked over.

At least five other people living in the home escaped safely. Francois was ordered not to have contact with any of the residents.

She also has to pay $2,400 in court, investigation and prosecution costs. The $90,000 Francois was ordered to pay in restitution to K&B Residential Rental was entered as a civil judgment and is not part of her probation.

“Mental illness is a disease. It’s no shame. She’s got a disease,” said Christopher Brown, who is Francois’ lawyer. “When she’s treated she’s not a dangerous person. She’s a very nice person.”

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