Former 15th & Chris owner, James Purifoy, accused of arson in Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A man once celebrated for turning his life of crime around is now accused of intentionally setting his business, 15th & Chris, on fire, according to federal documents.

James Purifoy, 50, was indicted May 20 by a federal grand jury in Rockford for the January 2023 arson at 201 15th Avenue. Purifoy owned the business for 10 years prior to the fire.

The fire at the former burger joint broke out around 8 p.m. Jan. 22, 2023, with reports of flames coming out of the building on the city’s south side. Firefighters said they found heavy fire pushing from the back of the building which was not open for business at the time. Crews were able to get the blaze under control before it spread to a food truck parked nearby.

Fire officials estimated damages to the building were around $100,000. An arson investigator was also called in to investigate.

Days after the fire, Purifoy’s attorney, Elder Granger II, released a statement saying Purifoy was prepping food for his food truck when he was knocked unconscious by three people and they set the restaurant on fire. The lawyer claimed Purifoy woke up during the blaze, crawled out of the restaurant and later received treatment at a local hospital.

In February 2024, the former restaurant was demolished. At that time, Purifoy and his attorney said he was attacked by members of a drug cartel and left to die the night of the fire. An online fundraiser was also started on Purifoy’s behalf, raising more than $10,000.

An initial appearance and arraignment is scheduled for May 27, according to online court records.

If convicted, Purifoy faces five to 20 years in federal prison.