ST. LOUIS – The St. Peters woman accused of torching several businesses while on vacation in Puerto Rico appeared in federal court Wednesday for a detention hearing.
Federal prosecutors said Danielle Bertothy, 36, set fire to a commercial building housing a retailer, a restaurant, a bar, and a hotel on Jan. 2 after being denied alcohol at the bar earlier in the evening. Hotel guests had to be evacuated due to the fire.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Bertothy’s attorneys argued against jailing their client until trial.
The prosecution alleges Bertothy called 911 a total of three times to complain about being kicked out of the bar, Lucia’s on the Beach. When the fire began, the prosecutor told the judge that Bertothy, who was staying in a nearby Airbnb, did not call 911, while emergency responders fielded several calls from other citizens about the blaze.
Surveillance video appears to show Bertothy returning to the bar later with a gas can, wearing the same clothing from when she was removed from the establishment. The prosecution reiterated that Bertothy remained in the area after the fire started and at no point called 911.
The owners of the Airbnb identified Bertothy from the surveillance images, according to the prosecution, and said they left the gas can behind so Bertothy could power a generator in case the power went out.
After being interviewed by local authorities, Bertothy cut her vacation short and fled home, prosecutors said.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) served a search warrant at Bertothy’s home on Bramblewood Drive in St. Peters on Jan. 7. During the search, ATF agents noticed her luggage was still unpacked and that it contained clothing that matched what she was wearing the night of the fires and clothing that matched what she was wearing at the airport.
After the ATF’s search, Bertothy left her job at a marketing firm and had a storage container placed outside her home.
The prosecution and defense debated about Bertothy’s potential flight risk. Prosecutors told the judge Bertothy may attempt to flee with her life in shambles. The defense said Bertothy has no criminal history nor prior convictions or arrests.
The defense said Bertothy ordered the storage unit because her landlord initially wanted her to leave the unit but later changed their mind.
Bertothy’s sister flew in from Connecticut to appear in court on behalf of the defense. She told the judge that Danielle could stay with her and that she’d make all her court dates and would not have access to alcohol, drugs, or guns.
The judge could decide on the matter as early as Thursday.
Bertothy was formally indicted and arrested on Jan. 16 with one count of use of fire to destroy any building affecting interstate commerce (arson).
If convicted, Bertothy faces between 5 and 20 years in federal prison.