Japanese police have arrested a 32-year-old American tourist on suspicion of arson and attempted murder in connection with a fire that tore through an Okinawa hotel last month, with investigators alleging he knew other guests were inside when he set the blaze.
The fire
The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 15 at Hamby Resort, a hotel of trailer-style bungalows in the Chatan neighborhood of Okinawa City, a few blocks from the coast and near U.S. Marine Corps Camp Foster. The property was housing 19 guests at the time, close to capacity during Japan’s busy Obon holiday period. It took roughly four hours to extinguish, and roughly half the building along with a nearby vehicle burned.
No one died, but a 55-year-old man from Osaka was found unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning and airway burns and was initially hospitalized in critical condition. He has since regained consciousness and is reportedly recovering. He was rescued by police officers and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Marshall Martinez, 25, of Fillmore, California, who spotted the fire and ran into the building to alert sleeping guests before helping reach the unconscious man.
From trespassing arrest to arson charge
Six days after the fire, on Aug. 21, the American tourist — identified as Posedion Roberson — was arrested on a trespassing charge after he was found sleeping inside a building complex in Urasoe, about half an hour south of Chatan. Investigators determined Roberson had booked a room at Hamby Resort the night of the fire and disappeared afterward, and came to believe he was responsible for the blaze.
On Sept. 1, while still in custody, Roberson was rearrested on charges of arson and attempted murder. Police allege he knew other guests were inside the hotel and set the fire intending to kill them. Investigators haven’t disclosed how they allege the fire was started, what evidence tied Roberson to it, whether he has admitted or denied the allegations, or a motive — though they’re reportedly examining whether some dispute between Roberson and other guests was involved.
Under Japanese law, arson generally applies to intentionally setting a fire that damages property, while attempted murder applies when someone is accused of acting with intent to kill another person, regardless of whether that person survives. Both are serious felony offenses carrying lengthy potential prison terms.
Roberson has been charged but not convicted, and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a Japanese court. The case comes amid what’s been described as a rise in high-profile crimes by foreign tourists in Japan over the past year, including vandalism, assault and theft. The investigation is ongoing.
Sources: SoraNews24, Stars and Stripes, Tokyo Weekender.
