Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces the entry of a guilty plea in the matter of State of New Jersey v. Yanit Valdez.
According to Prosecutor Valdes, Ms. Valdez pled guilty today to Aggravated Arson, a second-degree crime, before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.
Prosecutor Valdes said that Ms. Valdez admitted under oath that on August 3, 2020, she started a fire in the building located at 40 Cianci Street, in Paterson, knowingly placing the occupants in danger of death or bodily injury.
According to Prosecutor Valdes, she also admitted that this fire thereafter spread to numerous adjacent buildings, including those located at 42 Cianci Street, 38 Cianci Street, 34 Cianci Street, and 35 Passaic Street.
Ms. Valdez’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 29, before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.