Rockford, IL – A Rockford man has been federally indicted for allegedly setting fire to a commercial building in early 2023, following a lengthy investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, 50-year-old James Purifoy was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for allegedly destroying a structure at 201 15th Ave. in Rockford using fire and explosive materials. The alleged arson occurred on Jan. 22, 2023. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.
The charges stem from a collaborative investigation involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI’s Chicago Field Office, the Rockford Fire Department, and the Rockford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Maveus is prosecuting the case.
Officials stressed that the indictment is not evidence of guilt. Purifoy is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of up to 20 years under federal sentencing guidelines.
The indictment highlights ongoing federal efforts to address violent property crimes across northern Illinois communities.
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