Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan national who had previously been deported and illegally re-entered the United States, was charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting a sleeping homeless woman on fire on an F train approaching Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn on December 22, 2024. The victim, Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey, died from her injuries; surveillance footage showed Zapeta igniting her clothing and blanket while only the two of them were in the subway car. Zapeta was indicted on multiple counts of murder and arson, with the top charge carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

Read more: Illegal immigrant faces murder rap for allegedly burning woman to death on NYC subway as DA promises ‘most serious consequences’