Home / Crime and Justice / Cocaine Purifier Ignites Hotel Fire, Leads to Prison Sentence
Cocaine Purifier Ignites Hotel Fire, Leads to Prison Sentence
25 Apr
Summary
- Man sentenced to five years for hotel fire during cocaine purification.
- Fire damaged over two dozen hotel rooms and caused significant damages.
- Over 2 kilograms of cocaine were found at a storage unit linked to the man.
Pedro Marte, 48, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Wednesday, April 22, for his role in a fire at a New Rochelle hotel. The blaze occurred on April 6, 2025, in Room 728 of the Residence Inn when Marte attempted to purify cocaine using acetone, causing a highly flammable reaction.
The fire forced the evacuation of the hotel and resulted in significant damage to over two dozen rooms, in addition to the room where the incident originated. Marte sustained burns but managed to escape and seek medical attention.
Investigations led authorities to a storage unit on Nardozzi Place in New Rochelle, where over 2 kilograms of cocaine were discovered. Marte was also ordered to pay $94,554 in restitution for the damages caused to the hotel property.
Marte's defense cited a history of drug abuse stemming from an abusive childhood in the Dominican Republic and a relapse during the coronavirus pandemic. He expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the hotel and its guests for the fire.
