Officials Reportedly Heading To Brazil To Retrieve Arson Suspect

A group of federal agents and a Seattle police detective have left for Brazil to bring back Martin Pang, accused of setting a fire that killed four firefighters at his parents’ warehouse, a newspaper reported today.

Quoting unidentified law enforcement sources, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said the officers, led by a deputy U.S. Marshal, are scheduled to return with Pang to Seattle on Sunday. However, the sources said the extradition could be delayed because of legal snags.

It was not known whether an agreement had been reached with the Brazilian government to allow Pang to be extradited for anything other than an arson charge. King County prosecutors want to try him on four charges of murder, as well, to guarantee a lengthy prison term.

Asked today in Washington, D.C., whether a team was on its way to bring Pang back, Attorney General Janet Reno replied: “We expect a communication shortly from the government of Brazil, so it would be premature for me to comment.”

A senior Justice Department official, demanding anonymity, said today that U.S. officials were hoping to hear shortly from Brazil that the Brazilian government had consented to extradite Pang to face charges with more serious penalties than arson would normally allow.

Brazil’s supreme court ruled in December that Pang could only be extradited on the arson charge.

County Prosecutor Norm Maleng sought Justice and State department help to try to persuade Brazil to allow Pang’s extradition on the murder charges. Reno took an interest in the matter, and U.S. government lawyers flew last week to Brazil, where they negotiated over Pang’s extradition.