Arsonist Who Torched Copia Wine Bar Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison

Photo: St. Louis Police

Gilbert Summers

Gilbert Summers, a former employee of Copia Urban Winery and Market, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for the 2007 fire that caused $2.7 million in damages to the Washington Avenue eatery.

Summers was charged with the crime last year following a six-month investigation. Apparently he'd been upset with the restaurant about a paycheck issue.

As we reported last summer, Summers has served time before. In 2003 he pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree robbery in St. Louis and received a five-year sentence. He was released on parole on July 11, 2006.