ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford man was sentenced Wednesday 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…