THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RELEASE
On December 17, 2024, James Brayboy (DOB: 10/29/1997), formerly of Hoopeston, Illinois, pleaded guilty to Residential Arson, a class 1 felony, for 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition, Brayboy pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – No FOID Card, a class 3 felony, for 3 years Illinois Department of Corrections, and to Criminal Damage to Property, a class 4 felony, for 2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with sentences to run concurrently. Judge Mark S. Goodwin presided over these matters.
The People presented evidence in 2024-CF-422, that in the early morning hours of June 23, 2024, Hoopeston Police responded to a house fire on East Young Street. The homeowner stated to police that James Brayboy had recently sent her a text message mentioning a house fire.
During the investigation, officers obtained video surveillance and were able to identify James Brayboy, wearing a distinctive backpack and watch, walking towards the door of the residence, and then walking away, as a flash of light was observed in the area of the residence. Officers noted the front door of the residence was not usable prior to the fire and had been locked and secured with a full sheet of plywood inside the door frame.
Brayboy was later located by police wearing the same distinctive backpack and watch. The arson investigator indicated that the fire had started outside the front door of the residence, possibly by the use of fireworks. Officers noted upon searching Brayboy’s belongings, there were five standard lighters, one long wand style lighter and Black Cat firecrackers found inside his backpack.
The People also presented evidence in 2024-CF-140 that on February 21, 2024, Hoopeston police responded to a business on Lincoln Street for a report of criminal damage to two vehicles. Police identified James Brayboy on surveillance video jumping over the fence of the property with an unidentified individual and walking up to each of the vehicles and damaging them.
Officers later made contact with Brayboy and obtained consent to search his residence where they located a hoodie and a pair of jeans that were an exact match for the clothing Brayboy was wearing in the surveillance video.
Additionally, the Court heard evidence in 2024-CF-240 that on April 10, 2024, James Brayboy was involved in a dispute with a female when another male stopped to assist the female. Brayboy then directed his anger at the male witness and threw a brick and broke the windshield of the male. Brayboy was later located by police at which time he fled into a residence and hid in the basement. Brayboy was located and searched subsequent to arrest. On Brayboy’s person, police located a taser. Brayboy is not eligible to receive a Firearm Owner Identification Card.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Hoopeston Police Department for their diligent attention to these criminal investigations. She also extended her appreciation to the Hoopeston Fire Department. She added, “The reckless actions of this criminal not only violated the law but also endangered the safety and security of our community. This sentence reflects the serious nature of his crimes, including residential arson, and serves as a reminder that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated. My office will continue to work to protect our residents.”
