Rockford Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Arson At His Own Restaurant

James Purifoy Gets 66 Months In Federal Prison For 2023 Arson At 15th And Chris

A Rockford man was sentenced to federal prison for burning down his own restaurant in a 2023 arson case that drew widespread attention locally.

James Purifoy was sentenced May 13 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to 66 months in prison for one count of arson tied to the fire at his former business, 15th and Chris.

U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston handed down the sentence, which will run consecutive to multiple cases previously filed in Winnebago County.

Multiple Penalties For Intentional Arson

In addition to the prison term, Purifoy must serve three years of supervised release and pay $305,400 in restitution to an insurance company, along with a $100 special assessment.

Federal prosecutors said Purifoy intentionally set fire to the restaurant, located at 201 15th Ave., on Jan. 22, 2023. He was inside the building at the time and suffered burn injuries before leaving the scene.

Purifoy later made false statements to police and filed a fraudulent insurance claim related to the fire, receiving more than $300,000.

False Threat Claims Disproved

The case gained local attention early on, when Purifoy claimed the fire may have been tied to threats from a drug cartel. He said he had been attacked by multiple men before the building was set on fire, a claim investigators later determined was false.

Purifoy later admitted in a federal plea agreement that he was responsible for starting the fire.

The blaze heavily damaged the restaurant, a burger stand on Rockford's south side that had built a following and expanded to include a food truck.

Sentence Includes Medical Treatment

As part of his sentence, the court recommended Purifoy be housed in a federal facility near Atlanta capable of addressing his medical needs and participate in treatment and vocational programs if eligible.

The sentencing came after prosecutors said Purifoy intentionally set fire to the restaurant and later made false statements to police. He received more than $300,000 from a fraudulent insurance claim related to the incident.

Federal prosecutors said Purifoy was inside the restaurant when he set it on fire. He suffered burn injuries before leaving the scene on Jan. 22, 2023.

The sentence will run consecutive to multiple cases previously filed in Winnebago County. Purifoy must also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term ends.

"Purifoy intentionally set fire to the restaurant, located at 201 15th Ave., on Jan. 22, 2023. He was inside the building at the time and suffered burn injuries before leaving the scene."

Fraudulent Insurance Claim Discovered

Purifoy later made false statements to police and filed a fraudulent insurance claim related to the fire. He received more than $300,000 from the fraudulent insurance claim.

The case gained local attention early on, when Purifoy claimed the fire may have been tied to threats from a drug cartel. He said he had been attacked by multiple men before the building was set on fire, a claim investigators later determined was false.

Purifoy later admitted in a federal plea agreement that he was responsible for starting the fire. The blaze heavily damaged the restaurant, a burger stand on Rockford's south side that had built a following.

The restaurant had expanded to include a food truck. It was located at 201 15th Ave. on Rockford's south side.

The sentencing came Wednesday, May 13, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.