Man pleads guilty to arson, will testify against two others

A Round Lake Beach teen faces up to seven years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to his role in the intentional burning of a house.

Ivan Moreno-Hernandez, 19, also agreed to testify against his two co-defendants in the case.

Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz said Moreno-Hernandez, of 1529 N. Lakeshore Drive, drove to a location near the target house on the 200 block of Clarendon Drive around 1 a.m. on July 31.

Fisz said Moreno-Hernandez and Edwin Lara, 17, had gone there on the orders of Juan Luna, 19, who was seeking revenge for the intentional burning of his mother's car a few weeks earlier.

Fisz said Lara, of 322 Glenwood, Round Lake Beach, was spotted by witnesses as he started the house on fire, and police were called.

Fisz said the house suffered extensive damage, but the people inside escaped unharmed.

Both Moreno-Hernandez and Lara were caught at the scene, and Luna, of 5411 Route 12, Richmond, was arrested later in the day.

All three were charged with aggravated arson, but Fisz agreed to reduce the charge against Moreno-Hernandez to arson in exchange for the plea and the testimony.

Lara and Luna are scheduled to go on trial Jan. 17. Circuit Judge Fred Foreman ordered Moreno-Hernandez to return to court Jan. 18 for scheduling of a sentencing date.