Joliet teens allegedly involved in deadly fire plead not guilty

JOLIET – Two teens facing murder charges for allegedly firing a flare gun into a house on Center Street and sparking a fire that killed an infant and two women appeared in court Thursday for their arraignment.

Manuel A. Escamilla and Eric J. Raya, both 18 and of Joliet, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and arson.

A third teen, 17-year-old Andy Cerros, was arraigned Monday on the same charges. Cerros appeared in court again Thursday with Escamilla and Raya for courtroom assignment and discovery dates. Cerros pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment.

All three appeared before Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes on Thursday. Their cases were assigned to Will County Judge Daniel Kennedy. Discovery of evidence, including police and arson reports, are expected to be tendered by Aug. 16.

“We’re waiting to review discovery to determine the merits,” said attorney Jeff Tomczak, whose law firm is representing Raya.

Cerros, Escamilla and Raya stand accused of discharging a flare gun June 3, firing it at a residence at 16 N. Center St. The ensuing blaze caused the death of Regina Rogers, 28; her 11-month-old daughter, Royalty Rogers; and Jacquetta Rogers, 29, according to a criminal complaint filed in Will County court.

The complaint said that the three teens intended to kill Rakeem Venson when they fired the flare gun. Venson, who was living at the home, escaped the fire unharmed.

Joliet firefighters responded to the fire but could not enter the home immediately because of the intensity of the blaze. Once it was safe to enter, they found Regina, Jacquetta and Royalty Rogers dead on the second floor.

Firefighters also were met by a man who said he’d been inside the house and jumped from the second floor to escape.

The charges filed against the three teens were the result of a six-week investigation by Joliet police in cooperation with the state’s attorney’s office.

The fire initially was investigated by the Joliet Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.