A woman arrested during Denver law enforcement’s investigation into an intentionally set fire in Green Valley Ranch last August that killed five people has pled not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges.

She faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted, and has been denied bail while she waits for trial. 

The arrest of 23-year-old Tanya Bui stemmed from the police’s investigation of the arson. Although she has not yet been charged with crimes tied to the fire, prosecutors said at a hearing Wednesday afternoon they have been told related charges against her are “forthcoming.”

Evidence suggests her involvement in perhaps the arson’s planning and with the teenagers charged afterward as well, prosecutors said in court Wednesday.

Among the charges Bui currently faces are possession of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of 40 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm connected to a drug trafficking crime.

Prosecutors said Bui faces a minimum of 10 years in prison for the charges. 

The fire in Green Valley Ranch killed Djibril Diol and Adja Diol, both immigrants from Senegal, and their two-year-old daughter Khadija. Djibril’s sister Hassan Diol and her infant daughter, Hawa Baye, also died in the blaze.

Last week, Denver Police announced the arrest of three teenage boys in connection with the deadly fire. Two have been charged as adults and identified as Kevin Bui and Gavin Seymour, both 16. The third suspect, who is 15, remains unidentified, but prosecutors have requested to transfer his case from juvenile court to district court. 

Three juveniles arrested in connection to house fire that killed family of five

At Tanya Bui’s hearing Wednesday, prosecutors identified Kevin Bui as her brother.

The records identify a cell phone used by Kevin Bui registered in Tanya Bui’s name and paid for by her. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Kevin Bui was also involved in selling drugs.

They also referenced a gun possessed by Kevin Bui he allegedly declined to sell, according to a conversation between Tanya Bui and an alleged customer on Aug. 6, the day after the fire. Prosecutors said footage captured by a neighbor’s surveillance camera the night of the fire appears to show one of the teenagers holding a firearm.

At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors said they have not seen evidence to support Tanya Bui’s claims that she works at her father’s accounting firm and that she is a college student. Mix noted she finds it suspicious that Tanya Bui owns a Lexus and a Tesla even though she does not have reported income from “legitimate” sources. 

Much of the evidence against Tanya Bui of her alleged drug and gun trafficking activities cited in the initial criminal complaint comes from her social media accounts, and prosecutors also pointed to her tattoos and style of long manicured nails frequently visible in photos of her allegedly holding drugs and guns. 

Tanya Bui first appeared in court last Friday, and she has been detained since then.

Suspect in connection with fatal Green Valley Ranch arson investigation appears in federal court