New York – This Friday, Danielle Bertothy, the Missouri tourist suspected of starting a fire that left several in rubble business in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, shortly after New Year’smust appear at a hearing in a court of the aforementioned state to respond to the accusations that federal authorities presented against him.
The arrest of Berthothy, 36, was reported yesterday in St. Peters, the city where he resides.
A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico accused the tourist of arson.
As reported by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, On or about January 2 last, Bertothy maliciously damaged and destroyed, by means of fire, a building and other property furniture and real estate used in interstate and foreign commerce and in activities that affect interstate and foreign commerce.
In this Thursday’s press releasefederal authorities add that the accused will be held responsible for her dangerous actions.
“This defendant will be held responsible for her dangerous actions that caused significant harm and put many lives at risk“, declared W. Stephen Muldrow, head of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with federal, state and local partners, will continue to vigorously enforce federal laws to bring to justice criminals who engage in violent crimes,” Muldrow added.
For Christopher A. Robinson, special agent in charge of the Miami Field Division of the ATF (Agency for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), the prosecution demonstrates the commitment of that office in the fight against violence and destructive criminal behavior, whether in the United States or the territories.
Bertothy is accused of using fire to destroy buildings affecting interstate commerce.
The woman is scheduled for a hearing this Friday before a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
If convicted, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison. and a maximum of 20 years.
The federal authorities thanked the collaboration of prosecutors from the Department of Justice in Mayagüez and the Explosives and Public Security Division of the Puerto Rico Police.
Ismael Cartagena, in charge of the Office of Explosives and Public Security, indicated through Facebook this Thursday that, to be effective, “investigations are not carried out in a hurry.”
“The responsibility of the law and order agencies is to collect all possible evidence, corroborate information and present it to the public ministry to file charges and achieve a conviction. With this, we make true justice shine,” he said as a reflection on the course of events and the management of the authorities.
El Diario is carrying out procedures to interview Cartagena as a follow-up to the coverage of the case.
The accusations against the woman occurred about two weeks after the fire that occurred on highway 3301 in the El Combate sector. which affected four businesses: Luichy’s Seaside Hotel, Marinera Restaurant, Bar Marea and Artesanías Juavia.
Merchants and residents of the area provided local and federal authorities with audiovisual material that allegedly implicates the woman in the crime.
One of the videos shows a female, who would be the American, carrying a gallon of gasoline in the area. In another, the tourist is seen arguing with Bar Marea staff in the presence of agents.
In an interview with the podcast specialized in issues about Puerto Rico, Válgame PR, this week, Ángel Luis Marrero Negrón, owner of Luichy’s Seaside Hotel, revealed that there are other videoslike one from cameras from a nearby business, which link the woman directly to the events.
“That girl is walking with a container, I don’t know, because it was dark, she sprinkles something that is supposedly gasoline and takes a match, and, ‘wow.’ There you can see when the fire starts and she stares, making sure, and walks along the side of the businesses; But, I want to clarify that the coldly calculating woman waited for all the businesses to be closed,” described the interviewee.
Audiovisual content began to be shared massively on social networks until reaching members of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the states, who expressed themselves with indignation.
St. Louis Councilwoman of Puerto Rican origin, Daniela Velázquez, sent a letter to Bertothy’s employers to take disciplinary action against the woman in light of the seriousness of the allegations.
“Your audacity to commit such a brazen act of violence during our beloved holiday season too has impacted Puerto Ricans like me in the diaspora“, Velázquez said to the senior advertising management of HLK Agency.
“As a St. Louis-based company with a reputation for commitment to diversity and community impact, I am confident that they will review the situation with the seriousness it requires. “Your response will send a powerful message about living in accordance with global values and communities,” he added.
Shortly after, managers notified her that the employee had been suspended from her work at the company. It is not clear whether, as a result of the accusations, other actions such as dismissal would be taken.
HLK argued in the statement dated January 4 that they had not yet been contacted by the authorities in Puerto Rico, but that they would be collaborating with any investigation.
“We are outraged by this insensitive act and we hope that the authorities can address the matter in a timely manner,” they declared.
The case has also encouraged the debate about the humiliating treatment of some tourists towards locals on the island versus the concessions of the authorities to those who visit the territory. The merchants have questioned that, despite the fact that the municipal police were alerted on at least two occasions about the bellicose and aggressive attitude of the woman, who also had verbally and physically attacked staff and customers of Bar Marea before the incident was reported. fire, they did not take her to the barracks or take her information. Supposedly, Berthothy was upset because they didn’t want to serve her any more alcoholic drinks.
One of the agents who arrived at the bar to respond to the situation was suspended from work while an investigation ordered by the mayor of Cabo Rojo, Jorge A. Morales Wiscovitch, concludes.
El Diario also contacted the mayor’s press office for an interview, but we have not finalized it yet due to previous commitments on Morales Wiscovitch’s agenda.
The case has also revived the debate about the increase in the arrival of foreigners, mainly Americans, to the island attracted by tax incentives, the acquisition of properties and the movement of premises.
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