Violent Sprees of Armed Robberies and Shootings Ends in Guilty Plea

Rodney Williams faces decades in prison for a violent spree involving four robberies and two shootings in 2021.

Rodney Williams, 32, of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on December 10 to charges stemming from a series of armed robberies and shootings that occurred on November 14, 2021, in Jersey City, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Williams entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court, admitting to a range of crimes, including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, firearms violations, and possession of a firearm as a felon.

Details of the Crimes

According to court documents and statements:

• First Robbery: Williams began the spree by robbing a store at gunpoint, demanding money from the clerk, who complied. Williams fled with the cash.
• Second Robbery and Shooting: Williams, joined by co-defendant Siobhan Chandler, robbed a gas station. When attendants hesitated to hand over money, Williams shot one of them in the chest before fleeing with Chandler.
• Third Robbery: The pair proceeded to rob another store, where Williams once again pointed a gun at the clerk, obtained cash, and fled.
• Fourth Robbery and Shooting: Williams and Chandler entered a restaurant, and when the cashier hesitated to comply with their demands, Williams shot the cashier in the chest. The cashier then handed over money, and the duo fled the scene.

Both shooting victims survived their injuries.

Legal Consequences

Williams pleaded guilty to charges carrying severe penalties, including:

• Up to 20 years for each Hobbs Act robbery count.
• Up to 20 years for conspiracy to use a firearm in a crime of violence.
• Statutory mandatory minimum terms of 7 years and 10 years for two firearm charges, which must run consecutively to other sentences.
• Each charge also carries a potential fine of $250,000.

Sentencing for Williams is scheduled for April 23, 2025. His co-defendant, Chandler, was sentenced earlier this year to 12 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was conducted by the Jersey City Police Department, under Acting Chief Kearns, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also assisted in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shontae D. Gray and Eli Jacobs are prosecuting the case.

This conviction underscores federal efforts to address violent crime and protect the community from offenders who use firearms to perpetrate their crimes.