Rockford Man Pleads Guilty To Setting Own Local Restaurant On Fire

ROCKFORD  — A Rockford man is admitting to burning down the local burger restaurant he owned in 2023.  James Purifoy pleaded guilty in federal court.  Authorities say Purifoy set fire to 15th and Chris in January 2023.  His attorney had previously claimed that Purifoy was prepping food for his food truck when he was knocked unconscious by three people that set the restaurant on fire.  He was indicted on arson charges last year.  Sentencing is scheduled for April.