Joseph Guardia sentenced to nearly 50 years by burning Chicago “Walking Man” Joseph Cromelis

CHICAGO (WLS) — The man charged in the death of Joseph Cromelis, the famed “Walking Man” of downtown Chicago, pleaded guilty Thursday as part of a plea deal.

Joseph Guardia was sentenced to 47 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for the 881 days he had already spent in prison.

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Kromelis died nearly seven months after Guardia set him on fire in 2022.

Kromelis, 75, was a familiar face in downtown Chicago.

He earned the nickname “Walking Man” because he was often seen wandering around the area on foot.

Melrose Park man arrested on suspicion of setting Chicago’s Walking Man on fire while he slept: CPD

In May 2022, he was critically injured while sleeping on the ground at Kinzie Street and Lower Wabash Avenue.

Guardia doused him with flammable liquid and set him on fire.

Following the attack, Guardia was charged with attempted murder and arson.

He also has a case of aggravated battery on a police officer charge against him.

The case was opened in February 2024.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.