20-year-old Jervon Fernandez-Wesley was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on the count of murder. According to police, Fernandez-Wesley started the fire that killed his 14-year-old brother Michael Gillyard in August 2020. Police say Fernandez-Wesley was kicked out of his family's home, then he returned early the next morning and started fires in the neighboring duplex. Five of his other family members were able to get out. He told police he was angry at all of them for how they treated him. Fernandez-Wesley said he was sorry for his impulsive actions that led to the death of his brother.
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A Lima man pleads guilty to killing his brother in an August 2020 fire. Jervon Fernandez-Wesley pleaded guilty to one count of murder. As part of his plea deal, the rest of the charges including aggravated arson were dropped. The 19-year-old will be sentenced at the end of January and is facing a sentence of 15 years to life.
2020 was already a difficult year. And for the City of Lima it was an unusual year when it comes to crime. Lima Police Department handled 12 homicides, up from the average 5 murders a year for the last few years. LPD has arrested at least one person in each case.
Jan. 20 Dan Jackson was shot and killed while standing behind pappy’s lounge after the bar had closed. Police believe two teens are responsible and they have since been arrested.
On Feb.4, Levels Lounge was the site of a violent triple murder. A gun fight left Terrell McGraw and Devontae Upshaw dead inside the bar and Timothy White was found dead on a nearby sidewalk. Deontray Forrest has been charged for two of the murders with criminal gang charges attached to them. The bar has since closed.
18-year-old Jervon Fernandez-Wesley has been indicted on four counts: aggravated arson, aggravated murder, and two counts of murder. If found guilty he is looking at life in prison. Police have named Fernandez-Wesley in the fatal fire that killed his 14-year-old brother Michael Gillyard. Police say on Aug. 14, Fernandez-Wesley was kicked out of his family’s home at 124 W. Circular St. He returned in the early morning of Aug. 15 and allegedly started fires in the neighboring duplex. Five of his other family members got out. He told police he was angry at all of them for how they treated him.
A judge found there was probable cause to continue Jervon Fernandez-Wesley's aggravated arson case. The detective on the case took the stand and detailed the morning of Aug. 15 at 128 W. Circular St. Fernandez-Wesley was kicked out after an argument with his mother earlier that night. He later returned to the neighboring duplex 124 W. Circular. He told the detective he started the fire with a stuffed animal and a bunch of paper. His 14-year-old brother Michael Gillyard died from burns and smoke inhalation. Fernandez-Wesley gave two written confessions to the detective.