Press Release – Roberto Torner
Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Million Dollar Arson
ROBERTO TORNER appeared via Video from SCI Dallas and entered a guilty plea to 2 counts of Arson Endangering persons, just days before he was set to stand trial.
In the early morning hours of August 6, 2016, the Weatherly Police Department was dispatched to 234 3rd street in the Borough for a reported fully involved structure fire. The on-duty officer arrived on scene in under a minute and found the house to be completely involved with fire blowing out the front and sides of the house. The officer immediately went into action trying to get the residents out of both neighboring homes. The 3 residents of the one home had already self-extricated and informed the officer that they had heard people in the house right before hearing glass break. The officer then went to the other house which was now also on fire and rapidly spreading through the home which still had 3 people asleep inside. The officer tried to enter the front door but was chased off the porch by the rapidly spreading fire. As the officer was just about to enter the rear of the house, the residents emerged from the dark room and exited the house carrying their young child.
The Weatherly Police started the investigation and quickly brought in the resources of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) due to the size and destruction of the fire. With the help of PSP fire marshal’s office, Scranton Police for their K9, ATF and Carbon County District Attorneys offices, the Fire was quickly ruled arson and investigation started against the suspect(s)
In January 2019 Arson charges were filed against ROBERTO TORNER and others. Charges of Criminal Attempt, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Conspiracy, Arson/Endangering persons (6 counts) Insurance Fraud and Risking Catastrophe were filed and served on ROBERTO TORNER who was already housed in Lackawanna County Prison on Federal firearms and explosive charges.
TORNER IS also awaiting a jury trial on homicide charges in Luzerne County.
The Weatherly Police Department would like to thank the agencies that assisted with the Arson case and who also stepped in, to further investigate and successfully prosecute TOENER. Butler Township Police Dept, Hazleton City PD, PSP, PA Game Commission, Luzerne County District Attorney’s office, Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms, United States Attorneys Office, middle district of PA and the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office.
Any information received that was not released by the Weatherly Police Department is considered invalid and should not be deemed official. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Official documents below from the Weatherly Police Department:
Media contact – Officer Michael Eyer, Weatherly Police Department, 570-427-4241 ext. 109. m.eyer@weatherlypd.com