Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Amanda Burnside, 41, of East Quogue, was indicted for Arson in the Second Degree, for attempting to set three homes on fire in Hampton Bays in November 2023. Burnside was previously arraigned for arson and attempted arson charges and released from jail without bail by the arraignment judge. Within two hours of release, Burnside then attempted to steal money from a cashier at knifepoint.
“This defendant put Suffolk County residents in danger by allegedly attempting to set homes on fire,” said District Attorney Tierney. “What made matters even worse, the defendant was released from jail for those crimes, which put more lives at risk. My office will not standby and allow individuals to commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
On November 12, 2023, Burnside was arrested by members of the Southampton Police Department after allegedly trying to set fire to three homes in Hampton Bays. On November 13, 2023, Burnside was arraigned before the Southampton Town Justice Court, for one count of Arson in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony, and two counts of Attempted Arson in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.
At that arraignment, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office requested that Burnside be held in custody on bail in the amount of $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, and $1.5 million partially secured bond. The court released Burnside without bail and instructed the defendant to report for supervised release within 72 hours.
Two hours after the defendant was released following the arraignment on the arson-related charges, Burnside allegedly entered a Dollar Tree store in Hampton Bays, grabbed a knife, and demanded money from one of the cashiers. When members of the Southampton Police Department arrived, they found Burnside inside the store, still next to one of the cash registers, and they placed the defendant under arrest.
On November 30, 2023, Burnside was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for the charges of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony; Attempted Robbery in the Third Degree, a Class E felony; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Justice Pilewski ordered Burnside be held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $1.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
On December 19, 2023, Burnside was arraigned on the indictment for the charges of one count of Arson in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony and two counts of Attempted Arson in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies. Justice Pilewski also ordered a mental examination to be conducted on the defendant.
Burnside is due back in court for both matters on January 17, 2024, and is being represented by Melissa Aguanno, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew R. Laube of the Major Crime Bureau with investigative assistance from Detectives Michael Algozzino and Ryan Hughes of the Southampton Town Police Department.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
