3 charged in West Pullman fire that killed Chicago firefighter Jermaine Pelt, CPD says
Barbershop owner charged with insurance fraud, allegedly hired 2 men to burn business, prosecutors say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three men have been charged in the fire that killed Chicago firefighter Jermaine Pelt last year, Chicago police said Friday.
CPD said two of the men were identified as responsible for the arson in the 12000-block of South Wallace Street in the city's West Pullman neighborhood on April 4, 2023.
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Pelt died from smoke inhalation while battling the blaze.
Anthony Moore, 47, of Blue Island was charged with wire fraud, insurance fraud and forgery in connection with the incident. He was arrested on Tuesday in Chicago.
Martez Cristler, 22, of Hammond has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated arson and other related charges. He was arrested in Calumet Park Tuesday.
Nicholas Virgil, 37, of Riverdale, who is a convicted felon, faces the same charges as Cristler. He was arrested in Riverdale Tuesday.
SEE ALSO: Chicago Fire Department says final goodbye at funeral for fallen firefighter Jermaine Pelt
It was a step closer to justice Friday for the family of Pelt as the three suspects appeared in court.
Prosecutors said Moore was the mastermind of the deadly arson scheme after buying the property located at 12017 S. Wallace. Authorities said the barbershop owner insured the property and lied about it being occupied before hatching a plan to burn it to the ground, allegedly enlisting Cristler and Virgil. Neighborhood security video and cell phone pings placed both men in the area at the time of the blaze. All three men had each others cellphone numbers in their contacts, authorities said.
At the time of in the fire in April 2023, responding firefighters say the smelled scented hand sanitizer at the scene. During the investigation, authorities found two empty plastic container's behind Moore's business. It was determined the fire was started on a second floor landing of the vacant building.
Prosecutors did not say how the three men knew each other. Moore will remain on electronic monitoring since he is charged with non-violent crimes. His two alleged accomplices will remain in custody until trial. Their next court date is August 14.
Pelt left behind two children.
