US tourist is accused by federal jury of having set fire to businesses in Puerto Rico

An American tourist was arrested on arson charges and is expected to appear in court in her home state of Missouri after being accused of setting fire to a hotel and several businesses in Puerto Rico.

A Missouri tourist accused of setting fire to a hotel and other businesses in southwestern Puerto Rico a few weeks ago in a high-profile case that sparked a backlash against problematic visitors to the U.S. territory was indicted Thursday by a grand jury. federal.

Danielle Bertothy, 36, of St. Peters, Missouri, was arrested on arson charges and is scheduled to appear in court in her home state on Friday, according to the federal Department of Justice.

“This defendant will be held accountable for her dangerous actions that caused significant harm and put many lives at risk,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

Bertothy's attorney could not immediately be reached.

The Jan. 2 fire angered many on the Caribbean island, with authorities saying the fire destroyed a bar, a hotel, a restaurant and a retail store in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. .

Ángel Luis Marrero Negrón, who owns the property that was burned, began to cry when he heard on the phone that Bertothy had been charged.

“Here people cannot come and do whatever they want and denigrate our work,” he commented.

Negron criticized Puerto Rico police, noting that they were called twice because Bertothy was accused of harassing and cursing at customers before, officials said, she set the businesses on fire.

The police did not do their job, he commented, adding that the suspect left Puerto Rico shortly after. At least one officer has been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident. Federal authorities later opened their own investigation in the continental United States as people in Puerto Rico shared photos and videos online of Bertothy, demanding his arrest.

Negron estimated that the fire caused half a million dollars in damage to his property and that, despite the cost, he hopes to rebuild. He also noted that many people were out of work and that Luichy's Seaside Hotel in Playa Combate was almost full when the fire started, with 31 guests staying there.

If convicted, Bertothy could face a sentence of between 5 and 20 years in prison.