Federal grand jury indicts a US tourist accused of burning down businesses in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN (AP) — A tourist from Missouri accused of burning down a hotel and other businesses in southwestern Puerto Rico earlier this month in a high-profile case that sparked a backlash against unruly visitors in the U.S. territory was indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury.

Danielle Bertothy, 36, of St. Peters, Missouri, was arrested on arson charges and is scheduled to appear before a court in her home state on Friday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. “This defendant will be held accountable for her dangerous actions that caused significant damage and put many lives at risk,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. It wasn’t immediately clear if Bertothy had an attorney. The January 2 blaze angered many in the U.S. territory, with authorities noting that 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.