A tragic incident in Chicago has led to serious charges against local barbershop owner Anthony Moore, 47, following a fire in April 2023 that resulted in the death of a firefighter. Moore faces charges of wire fraud, insurance fraud, and forgery for his alleged role in orchestrating the arson of his own building located on the 12000 block of S. Wallace St.
The Chicago Police Department has also charged Nicholas Virgil, 37, and Martez Cristler, 22, with murder and arson. These two men are accused of actually setting the fire that tragically killed firefighter Jermaine Pelt. According to prosecutors, Moore had recently purchased the building and secured an insurance policy under false pretenses, claiming the building was occupied.
The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. on April 4, 2023. Firefighter Jermaine Pelt was responding to the blaze and was inside a neighboring building attempting to control the fire when conditions worsened rapidly. Although crews were ordered to evacuate, Pelt was overcome as they were withdrawing. He was immediately rescued and taken to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to carbon monoxide toxicity from smoke and soot inhalation, as confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.