Federal authorities charge American tourist for burning commercial establishments in Puerto Rico
CNN Spanish
—
A federal grand jury in the district of Puerto Rico issued an indictment for arson on Thursday against a woman resident in the state of Missouri, for allegedly causing a fire that affected several commercial establishments on January 2 in the municipality of Cabo Rojo, in the west of the island, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office reported in a press release.
Prosecutors identify the defendant as Danielle Renee Bertothy, 36, and the statement indicates that the woman “maliciously damaged and destroyed, by means of fire, a building and other personal property and property used in interstate and foreign commerce.”
“This defendant will be held accountable for her dangerous actions that caused significant harm and put many lives at risk,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico.
Lymarie Llovet, press spokesperson for the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Puerto Rico, told CNN that Bertothy appeared this Friday at the initial arraignment hearing before a federal magistrate and that the woman remains under arrest until next Wednesday the 22nd, when she will be brought to trial. bail hearing held.
The Prosecutor’s Office has asked the court not to grant the right to bail to the accused. According to the motion presented by prosecutor Corinne Cordero Romo, the woman represents “a danger to the community” and there is a high risk of flight, given that she left the island immediately after the events.
