Essex County Woman Admits Role in Three Robberies and Two Shootings in Jersey City

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, woman admitted her role in a one-night crime spree involving robberies and shootings in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Siobhan Chandler, 21, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to crime of violence, attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to crime of violence. The charges against her conspirator, Rodney Williams, are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On the evening of Nov. 14, 2023, Chandler and Williams robbed a gas station, where Williams pointed his gun at an attendant and demanded money. Chandler and Williams threatened force, violence, or fear of injury to two employees by demanding money while pointing a firearm at the employees. Chandler and Williams then fled.

Chandler and Williams later entered another store, and Williams again pointed his firearm at a clerk and demanded money. The clerk handed money to Williams and he and Chandler then fled.

Chandler and Williams entered a nearby restaurant and threatened force, violence or the fear of injury to a cashier. Williams pointed his gun at the cashier and demanded money. Williams discharged the firearm, shooting the cashier in the chest. The cashier handed money to Williams, after which Williams and Chandler fled.

The Hobbs Act robbery charges to which Chandler pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; the conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to crime of violence charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; the using and carrying a firearm in relation to crime of violence charge carries a statutory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Any term of imprisonment on the charge for using and carrying a firearm in relation to crime of violence must run consecutively to any other prison term imposed on the other counts. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited officers of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Robert J. Kearns, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.  He also thanks the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.