Tyler woman receives 12 years for arson

TYLER – Thursday, a Tyler woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison for arson in an April house fire that destroyed a house, car, motorcycle and killed a dog. According to our news partner KETK, 52-year-old Ruthie Cassettari was arrested in June after a fire on Kevin Drive in Tyler. Authorities say at that time, the homeowner felt Cassettari may have set the fire. Ring camera video shortly before the fire showed a car parked in front of the home that was the same make and model as the vehicle that Cassettari drove.

Initially Cassettari told fire investigators that she was in Shreveport the week of the fire. However, a witness statement, phone and video records contradicted her statement. In a second interview, she admitted, “She disclosed that she stuffed newspaper under the door that leads to the garage from the interior of the house. She stated that she then soaked the newspaper with lighter fluid and ignited the newspaper on fire using a match.”, that according to the arrest warrant.

Cassettari was indicted for arson on Aug. 17, and pleaded guilty to that charge on Thursday where she was sentenced later that same day.