A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico has indicted a woman from St. Peters, Missouri, on charges of arson. The indictment accuses Danielle Bertothy, 36, of causing damage by fire to a commercial building located at Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The property included a retail store, restaurant, bar, and hotel.
W. Stephen Muldrow, the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, stated: “This defendant will be held accountable for her dangerous actions that caused significant damage and put many lives at risk.” He emphasized the commitment of law enforcement agencies to enforce federal laws against violent crimes.
Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Miami Field Division said: “This arrest shows the commitment of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the fight against violent as well destructive criminal behavior.”
Bertothy is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) for using fire to destroy property affecting interstate commerce. Her initial court appearance is set for January 17 before a magistrate judge in the Eastern District of Missouri. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence ranging from five to twenty years.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB). The case benefits from support provided by various local entities including the PRPB-Explosives Unit in Mayagüez.
Prosecution will be led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Gottfried, Jeannette Collazo and Corinne Cordero-Romo.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.