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A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail through the window of her ex-boyfriend's house while his teenage brother was inside on Monday afternoon.
The teenager, 14-year-old Madochee Derilus, was home alone when he heard a bedroom window shatter and noticed the home filling with smoke, WBBH-TV reported. He told police that a Molotov cocktail was thrown through the window.
A Molotov cocktail is a small, homemade firebomb that is typically cheap and small enough to be thrown with one hand. The first recorded use was during the Spanish Civil War but Molotov cocktails are still used in modern warfare.
The action of creating a Molotov cocktail and using one to cause damage is illegal under federal law and can lead to arson charges. Arson is the act of maliciously or intentionally setting fire to property in an attempt to cause damage.
In order for someone to be charged with arson, the cause of the fire must be determined through an investigation.
While sentencing varies depending on the severity of damage and state laws, arson convictions can lead to anywhere from one year to life in prison if the arson caused significant damage or killed someone.
Gaelle Simeus, 22, was arrested on Wednesday in connection to the arson investigation and faces multiple felony charges including arson, property damage worth $1,000 or more, and a weapon offense (missile into dwelling).
"I go to check out what it is then I see a real familiar-looking woman just messed up, mentally unstable, hair is messed up, mascara everywhere, then I just call 911," Derilus told WBBH-TV.
Simeus' ex-boyfriend was Derilus' older brother and his family said she was allegedly targeting him, WBBH-TV reported.
Inside the bedroom where the Molotov cocktail landed, the mattress ignited and was left charred and black soot was left scattered around the room. Luckily no one was hurt during the fire.
The State Fire Marshall responded to the home on Tuesday and determined the fire was a result of arson. During the following days, Lee County Police were able to gather "sufficient details" to arrest Simeus.
On Wednesday morning, Public Information Officer Nestor Montoya stated that the investigation revealed Simeus threw a water bottle filled with an accelerant into the bedroom through a window.
"Sheriff Carmine Marceno, as you all know, has absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who commits crime in Lee County," Montoya said. "Those who do, eventually at some point, our detectives will catch up to you and you will face justice."
About the writer
Samantha Berlin is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting on trends and human-interest stories. Samantha ... Read more