
A former account manager of HLK agency, 36-year-old Danielle Bertothy from St. Peters, Missouri, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico on charges of arson. Bertothy is accused of setting a fire on January 2, 2025, that destroyed multiple businesses in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo, a beloved destination for both locals and tourists.
The Devastation in Cabo Rojo
The blaze consumed a commercial building housing a bar, a restaurant, a retail store, and Luichy’s Seaside Hotel on Combate Beach. The hotel was nearly at full capacity, with 31 guests present when the fire broke out. The destruction has left dozens without jobs and caused an estimated $500,000 in property damage, according to Ángel Luis Marrero Negrón, the property owner.
“This homegrown tragedy has shaken our community,” Negrón said to AP through tears upon hearing of the indictment. “People cannot come here to do as they wish and denigrate our work.”

According to court documents, Bertothy allegedly harassed and cursed at customers before starting the fire. Puerto Rico police reportedly received two calls regarding her behavior before the fire, but no action was taken. Negrón criticized local authorities, stating that their failure to intervene allowed the suspect to flee Puerto Rico. As a result, at least one officer has been suspended pending an internal investigation.
The case gained traction on social media, where outraged Puerto Ricans shared photos and videos of Bertothy, calling for her arrest. Federal authorities took up the case, leading to Bertothy’s apprehension on the U.S. mainland. The story came to Reel 360 News via posts on our sister Reel Chicago’s Facebook page where an article about HLK opening an office in Chicago was met with angry emojis and comments about Bertothy.
Bertothy is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) with using fire to destroy a building affecting interstate commerce. If convicted, she faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Friday, January 17, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
“This defendant will be held accountable for her dangerous actions that caused significant damage and put many lives at risk,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to ensuring justice for those affected by violent crimes.”
Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Division, emphasized the agency’s dedication to combating destructive criminal behavior across the U.S. mainland and territories.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are spearheading the investigation, with assistance from the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and local law enforcement units.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Gottfried, Jeannette Collazo, and Corinne Cordero-Romo are prosecuting the case.
Negrón expressed his determination to rebuild despite the challenges ahead. “This fire has left a scar on our town, but we will rise again,” he said, noting that the burned businesses were vital to the local economy and cultural identity of Cabo Rojo.
As the case unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and vigilance in protecting community spaces. For now, Cabo Rojo is left grappling with the aftermath of a tragedy that has disrupted lives and livelihoods in this treasured coastal town.
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