By: Tracie Carter
A Jersey City man will serve a significant prison sentence for his involvement in a violent crime spree that included four armed robberies and two shootings in a single night, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal officials said Rodney Williams, 33, of Hudson County, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court after pleading guilty in December 2024 to a series of serious federal offenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Williams admitted to participating in a coordinated series of violent acts that took place across Jersey City on the evening of November 14, 2021.
The charges against Williams included conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, multiple firearms offenses related to crimes of violence, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
In addition to his prison sentence, Williams was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
According to court documents and details shared in the Justice Department’s release, the violent episode began when Williams entered a local store alone and brandished a firearm, demanding money from a clerk.
After fleeing with the cash, he joined co-defendant Siobhan Chandler, and the pair carried out three more armed robberies in rapid succession.
At a gas station, Williams pointed his firearm at two attendants. When they did not immediately respond, he shot one of them in the chest. Later, at another business, he once again threatened a clerk and took cash before fleeing with Chandler.
Their final target was a nearby restaurant, where Williams used the same method of intimidation.
When the cashier failed to comply quickly enough, he was also shot in the chest. The two fled the scene after obtaining money.
Both shooting victims survived their injuries.
Williams' co-defendant, Chandler, was previously sentenced in April 2024 to 12 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for her role in the violent spree.
The sentencing underscores the Department of Justice’s continued efforts to pursue and prosecute those who commit acts of violence against civilians. According to additional information released by the U.S.