Dominican Republic Nightclub Owner and His Sister Arrested 2 Months After Roof Collapse Killed 236 People

The owner of a Dominican Republic nightclub where more than 200 people died after the establishment’s roof collapsed in April has been arrested. 

Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat were taken into custody Thursday, June 12, the Associated Press reported. Authorities have 48 hours to bring charges before a judge.

“Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club’s roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries,” the Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.

Rubby Pérez, the famed merengue singer who was performing at the Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo when its roof collapsed, was among the fatalities when the building’s roof collapsed on April 8. 

Approximately 515 people were present for his performance. 

Former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco also died, as well as Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern Dominican Republic province of Montecristi and sister of former Major League Baseball star Nelson Cruz.

Related Stories

Nightclub Owner Breaks Silence on ‘Devastating’ Roof Collapse Disaster in Dominican Republic as Death Toll Rises to 218

Rubby Pérez, Singer Performing at Dominican Republic Nightclub During Roof Collapse, Dies at 69

At the time, Antonio said he would cooperate with an investigation led by a Dominican Republic committee. 

“I’m going to face everything,” he said, per the AP. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“To the families of the victims, I want to say I’m sorry. I’m very sorry,” Antonio said during an extended local TV interview on April 23, the news outlet reported. “I am completely destroyed.”

“There are no words to express the pain this event has caused,” he added.

Jet Set was passed down to Antonio and Maribel by their mother after she founded it when he was just 6 years old. The venue was celebrating its 50th anniversary on the evening of the tragedy, according to social media posts at the time.

While Antonio told Telesistema’s El Dia program “there was no warning” that the roof of the building was unstable, he reportedly mentioned that the roof had routine water filtration issues for years, stemming from its air conditioning units.

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader previously expressed his condolences in a statement on X.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families,” Abinader said.

In Thursday’s update, prosecutors described the club owner as a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic who owns upscale entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

They alleged the Espaillats tried to intimidate or manipulate employees, as they could serve as witnesses in the case.

The cause of the roof collapse remains under investigation.