4 family members found guilty of arson, insurance fraud scheme

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal jury reached a guilty verdict Wednesday in the trial of four family members accused of arson and insurance fraud.

Windel Lester, 67, Georgetta Lester Kenney, 42, James “Punkin” Lester, 48, and Greg Lester, 41, were found guilty after a five-day trial. The family members were found guilty of three schemes involving arson, mail and wire fraud, with the goal of enriching themselves from insurance payments.

The houses were located in Matoaka in Mercer County, Huntington in Cabell County and Ikes Fork in Wyoming County.

Windell Lester was found guilty of 17 felony charges and faces 340 years of imprisonment. Georgetta Lester Kenney was found guilty of 7 felony charges and faces 140 years in prison. James “Punkin” Lester was found guilty of 23 felony charges and faces 475 years imprisonment. George Lester was found guilty of 4 felony charges and faces 80 years in prison.

The sentencing hearings are scheduled for Dec. 20.

Dudley Bledsoe, Ricky Gleason and James Browning also pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities.