State's Attorney Alvarez honors citizens for their assistance with arson cases -

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Â Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will join other local law enforcement agencies to present the 2010 Illinois Arson Awards, given by the Illinois Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention, to citizens and law enforcement officers whose support and cooperation helped to convict criminals charged with arson.

The awards ceremony will be held today, January 20, 2011 at the Criminal Courts Building, 2650 S. California, 12th Floor library at 11:00 a.m.

Civilian award recipients nominated by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office include:

Armando Perex, Oscar Perez, Georgina Ramirez and Tanya Perez for their assistance and testimony at the trial of Sonia Lebron, convicted of starting a October 2006 fire in suburban Cicero, killing Raquel Perez, and her six-year-old son Cesar Camacho while they were sleeping. Victim Witness Specialist Edith Gonzalez will also be recognized for her work on the case. Lebron was sentenced to natural life in prison.

Dedric Scales for his assistance in the prosecution of Raymond Lee and Jonathan Mitchell, convicted of starting a deadly fire in January 2000 on the city’s far south side, killing two elderly men. Both victims were bound, gagged and doused with gasoline then left in the burning home. Both Lee and Mitchell were sentenced to natural life in prison.

Patrick Butler, and Christine and Siefried Luck for their assistance and testimony in the prosecution of Kristy Ballard, convicted of starting a June 2009 fire on the city’s south side. Ballard was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Althea Robinson and Samantha Steele for their assistance and testimony at the trial of Tommy Lee Ferguson convicted of starting a July 2009 fire to an occupied apartment building on the city’s south side. Ferguson was sentenced to 9 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In addition to the 13 citizens who will receive cash awards ranging from $500 to $1,000, 29 law enforcement officials will receive recognition for their assistance in providing information on cases that have led to successful prosecutions and suppression of arson in Illinois.