Rodney Chambers, 34, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role as a lookout during the kidnapping and murder of a Wilmington resident by members of the Shotgun Crips gang. The sentencing was announced by Benjamin L. Wallace, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, and delivered by Chief District Judge Colm F. Connolly.
Court documents indicate that the incident began after a dispute between the victim and gang member Kimon Burton-Roberson. On July 21, 2021, several gang members entered the victim’s home in Wilmington while Chambers remained outside to watch for police activity. Inside, the victim was beaten with a tire iron and pry bar, restrained with zip ties, and forced into a vehicle driven by Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez.
The group transported the victim to Philadelphia where they picked up Dwayne Alexander, who directed them to an industrial park in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. There, Burton-Roberson shot and killed the victim while Chambers again acted as lookout. Afterward, efforts were made to remove forensic evidence from the vehicle and terminate cell phone service used during the crime.
Earlier this month, three other defendants received sentences: Kimon Burton-Roberson was sentenced to life in prison; Jamil Salahuddin received 17.5 years; Stephanie Bultes-Ramirez was given 10 years. Dwayne Alexander is awaiting sentencing in federal court. Josiah Rivera awaits sentencing in Delaware state court due to being a minor at the time of the offense.
“Rodney Chambers had a hand in an atrocious crime that took a beloved son, brother, and uncle from his family,” said U.S. Attorney Wallace. “We thank our law enforcement partners for the tireless work that resulted in a fourth just sentence of at least a decade in this case. We will continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to stamp out gang violence here in Delaware.”
“His sentencing is the final step towards holding Rodney Chambers accountable for the life he took,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners to bring to justice those who use violence to harm and intimidate our community.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force; Wilmington Police Department; Yeadon Borough Police Department; Pennsylvania State Police; and Delaware Probation and Parole.
Prosecution was handled by U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace along with Assistant U.S Attorneys Michelle L. Morgan (now with Eastern District of Pennsylvania), Kevin P. Pierce, Ruth Mandelbaum (now with Eastern District of Pennsylvania), Maureen McCartney (also now with Eastern District of Pennsylvania), as well as former Assistant U.S Attorney Eli H. Klein.
Further information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, or through PACER using Case No. 22-CR-17-CFC.
