Careers & Education

Ex-IL Firefighter Faces Arson Charges

March 29, 2019

The former Blackhawk firefighter is accused of intentionally setting six fires since the beginning of the year, according to Winnebago County authorities.

By Georgette Braun

Source Rockford Register Star, Ill.

ROCKFORD — Two more arson charges were filed Wednesday against former Blackhawk Fire Department firefighter Brandon Cox, 21, of Rockford.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross said in a news release Thursday that the new charges stem from garage fires set Feb. 28 and March 20 in the 1700 block of South Fifth Street.

Cox was arrested March 22 in connection with four alleged arson fires at a dumpster, a trailer and two vacant mobile homes between Jan. 1 and Feb. 3.

Cox is being held in Winnebago County Jail on $250,000 bond. He was set to appear in Winnebago County court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Fire Chief John Trail has said Cox joined the Blackhawk department in November and was terminated "immediately" when the department learned Cox was a suspect.

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