111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 995-3586
Fax: (914) 995-2116
May 13, 2013 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Trent Bronner (DOB 05/14/89) of 126 Valley Street, Sleepy Hollow, New York, pled guilty today to:
- two counts of Arson in the Second Degree, a class “B” Felonies,
- one count of Arson in the Fourth Degree, a class “E” Felony.
On March 20, 2011 at approximately 5:10 a.m., a resident of Cedar Street woke up when her dog started barking. Her house faces 13 Cedar Street, and as she approached her front window, she hears a crackling sound, looked out in time to see fire rising up under the front porch of 13 Cedar Street.
Fearing the fire would spread across the electric lines to her house, she evacuated her 80 year old mother. Once outside, she began screaming and warning her neighbors to get out of their house.
Residents of 13 Cedar Street evacuated their house, as the fire spread to 19 Cedar Street, which is adjacent to 13 Cedar, separated by only a few feet.
The Fire Department was called and responded to the fire that would eventually leave 19 people homeless.
Both houses were condemned as result of the damage sustained during the fire.
Due to the nature of the fire, it was immediately deemed suspicious.
The Westchester County Cause and Origin Team determined that the fire was intentionally set and originated under the porch of 13 Cedar Street.
Sleepy Hollow police commenced an investigation.
During the course of the investigation, the defendant admitted to starting another fire in the Village on July 19, 2010 at 128 Cortlandt Street.
The defendant was subsequently arrested on April 27, 2011 by Sleepy Hollow Police.
The defendant was a long time resident of Sleepy Hollow and a member of the Sleepy Hollow Volunteer Fire Department.
Sentencing will be on July 9, 2013.
The defendant faces up to 25 years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Ward, Chief of Arson Unit prosecuted the case.
.
|
|
| Trent Bronner |
In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
