DNA, fingerprints, and a stolen bottle of Hennessy cracked the case—but 18 months later, only one suspect remains behind bars

STROUDSBURG — Of the three young men charged with hurling Molotov cocktails at a Canadensis home while a mother and her five children slept inside, two are now free on bail—while the third remains locked up in Monroe County Prison awaiting a joint trial on 40 felony charges, including attempted criminal homicide.

Isaiah Antonio Garcia, 21, of Bushkill, posted a $50,000 surety bond in June after a judge slashed his bail from the original $250,000. Traill Labar Jr., 20, of White Haven, walked out of custody in July after his bail was converted to $250,000 unsecured—meaning he owed nothing upfront.

Chapel Dametrous Iliev, 21, of Pocono Summit, remains incarcerated. His bail stands at $250,000 monetary, and court records show he has been in custody at Monroe County Prison since May 30.

All three are scheduled to appear together before Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum on January 30, 2026. Their cases were formally joined by order of Judge Jonathan Mark in late October.

The Night of December 15, 2023

According to Pocono Mountain Regional Police, officers were dispatched just before 5 a.m. to the 100 block of Pine Knob Lane in Barrett Township for a reported arson attempt.

A woman told police she was jolted awake by a loud bang and discovered a Molotov cocktail burning on her front porch, just inches from her front door. She kicked the flaming device off the porch.

Investigators found three additional Molotov cocktails placed around the home—one shattered in the driveway but failed to ignite, one at the rear of the house, and one along the side. All three failed to detonate.

At the time of the attack, the woman was home with four children under the age of 13 and her 20-year-old daughter.

A Dispute Over a Bottle of Hennessy

Investigators quickly zeroed in on Iliev. He had been to the home before and knew the homeowner’s daughter and her roommate, both of whom attended East Stroudsburg University.

Police say Iliev had been accused of stealing a bottle of Hennessy from the residence. Text messages obtained during the investigation revealed an escalating dispute between Iliev and the daughter over the missing liquor—and a bookbag Iliev believed she had taken in retaliation.

The texts turned threatening. Iliev told the daughter he knew where she lived.

A Second Attack the Same Morning

The investigation widened when East Stroudsburg University Police connected a vehicle fire on campus to the Canadensis case.

Evidence showed three individuals smashed the windows of a white Nissan sedan and threw a Molotov cocktail inside, torching the car—also on December 15, 2023.

Surveillance footage captured Iliev, Garcia, and two other males filling a gas can early that morning and placing it in the sedan’s trunk. Iliev allegedly took the vehicle from the homeowner’s daughter before the attacks. The car was later found crashed and abandoned.

Inside: a debit card with Traill Labar’s name on it.

Forensics Seal the Case

The investigation stretched more than a year as evidence was processed.

On April 15, 2024, a latent fingerprint lifted from one of the Molotov cocktails at the Canadensis home was identified as belonging to Isaiah Garcia.

Two months later, on June 17, 2024, investigators obtained a DNA profile from another device, further tying the suspects to the attack.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police, led by Detective Donald C. Scarfo Jr., issued arrest warrants in May 2025. Garcia and Labar were taken into custody on May 16. Iliev, initially at large, was apprehended and booked into Monroe County Prison on May 30.

Bail Outcomes Split Three Ways

All three defendants were initially held on $250,000 bail.

Garcia’s attorney, Stroudsburg-based Brian Scott Gaglione, filed for an expedited bail reduction. On June 13, Judge Jonathan Mark granted the motion, dropping Garcia’s bail to $50,000. Garcia posted bond the same day through surety agent Dean Ernest Cali and was released. A subsequent bail modification hearing was held in August.

Labar, represented by Monroe County Public Defender Frederick Mark Cutaio, also sought release. On July 18, Judge Harlacher Sibum converted his $250,000 monetary bail to unsecured—allowing him to walk free without posting any money. Labar signed himself out that day.

Iliev, represented by Stroudsburg attorney William Austin Watkins, remains in custody. His next court date is the January 30 joint proceeding.

Prior Records

Court records reveal all three defendants had prior brushes with the law.

Iliev’s history includes a 2022 disorderly conduct conviction, multiple traffic violations across Monroe, Berks, and York counties, and a 2024 drug paraphernalia charge to which he pleaded guilty earlier this year. He also has an open citation for driving with a suspended license.

Labar has a 2023 DUI case involving controlled substances that was waived to Monroe County Court of Common Pleas, along with related registration violations. He also faces active charges in Luzerne County for receiving stolen property and theft from a motor vehicle.

Garcia had no prior criminal history listed in Monroe County court records.

The Charges

Each defendant faces 40 counts, including:

• Criminal Attempt – Criminal Homicide (F1)
• Conspiracy – Criminal Homicide (F1)
• Arson – Danger of Death or Bodily Injury (F1)
• Aggravated Arson (multiple counts)
• Causing Catastrophe (F1)
• Criminal Attempt – Causing Catastrophe (F1)
• Possession of Explosive/Incendiary Material
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• Criminal Mischief
• Possession of Instrument of Crime

What’s Next

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, with prosecutors Michael T. Rakaczewski and Elmer D. Christine Jr. handling the case, filed formal informations against all three defendants in late June.

The cases were joined in October, meaning the trio will face trial together.

If convicted on the attempted homicide and first-degree arson charges alone, each defendant faces the possibility of decades in state prison.

The next court date is January 30, 2026.