Essex County Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Role in Three Robberies and Two Shootings in Jersey City

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced to 144 months in prison for 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, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti 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. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence on May 14, 2024, in Newark federal court. 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.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Chandler to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited officers of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea; and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanks the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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