37°
Oswaldo Domingo Xil-Argueta, 29, is accused of torching Mesivta Sanz Yeshiva and its synagogue on 34th Street in Union City around 3 a.m. on July 3, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
There were no occupants in the building at the time of the two-alarm blaze.
The Union City Police Department and the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force arrested Xil-Argueta on July 5, on charges of first-degree aggravated arson and criminal mischief, Suarez said.
Because the arson was at a place of public worship, the aggravated arson charge has been elevated to a first-degree offense. At this point, there is no evidence that this was a bias incident.
During a hearing before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale, a motion to detain Xil-Argueta pending his trial was approved after the state argued he posed a danger to the community.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Union City Police Department and the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force for the investigation and arrest.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Elizabeth and receive free news updates.
