Four arrested in connection to fatal fire at assisted-living center in New York, district attorney says
By Rob Frehse and Sahar Akbarzai, CNN
Four people have been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal fire at a residential assisted living center in Spring Valley, New York, that killed a firefighter and a resident in March, the Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced Tuesday.
Arrest warrants were also issued for two others who are charged for actions in the Evergreen Court Home for Adults facility prior to the fire, Walsh said.
Father and son, Nathaniel Sommer and Aaron Sommer, are facing two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, one count of arson in the fourth degree for recklessly damaging a building, seven counts of assault in the third degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, and two counts of reckless endangerment in the second degree, Walsh said in a news release.
Both were arraigned Tuesday, when bail was set, and they will be back in court July 2, Walsh said.
It’s unclear if the men entered a plea. CNN has been unable to locate attorneys for the men.
Two charged with falsifying business records
Two individuals who worked at the Village of Spring Valley Building Department were charged with falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing, Walsh said. Both were charged for conduct and actions while they were employees, Walsh said. It’s unclear if the individuals still work for the department.
Wayne Ballard is facing one count of offering a false instrument for filing and one count of falsified business records in the second degree, Walsh said.
Raymond Canario is facing three counts of offering a false instrument for filing and three counts of falsified business records in the second degree, the district attorney said.
Canario’s and Ballard’s actions “are associated with their governmental responsibilities,” the district attorney said.
Canario and Ballard were released after their arrest and a court date for both individuals was set for July 13 before a court in Spring Valley.
CNN has been unable to identify an attorney for either man.
Two charged for alleged conduct at the assisted living center prior to the fire
In addition, Denise Kerr, who was the director of the facility at the time of the fire, was charged with one count of reckless endangerment in the second degree for her alleged conduct at the center, Walsh said at a news conference.
Manuel Lema was charged with one count of criminal impersonation in the second degree and one count of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, Walsh said.
CNN was unable to identify an attorney for either individual.
Walsh said he doesn’t want to release details that might impact prosecuting the case that follows the March 23 fire, adding he plans to present the charges against all six individuals to a grand jury for indictment.
“We owe them justice,” the district attorney said in reference to the deceased resident and the firefighter, Jared Lloyd.
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