Connecticut Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge Stemming from Kidnapping and Murder of Massachusetts Man

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SHAMARI SMITH, also known as “Dakota,” 34, of Manchester, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a charge stemming from the kidnapping and murder of a Massachusetts man in 2020.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 24, 2020, Calvin Roberson and another individual kidnapped Francisco Roman, Jr., 28, at gunpoint from a residence in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  Roberson and his associate threatened to harm Roman if he did not comply with their orders, handcuffed him, and stole cash, marijuana, and other items from Roman.  Roberson and his associate forced Roman into the rear of Roman’s 2010 Acura ZDX, and transported Roman and the other stolen property to Connecticut.  Roberson’s associate shot and killed Roman while the car was en route to Hartford.  They then drove the car to Shultas Place in Hartford and left it parked on the street.

Roberson and his associate then drove to an apartment that Roberson shared with Smith in Waterbury, and took most of the property stolen during the robbery into the apartment.  Smith subsequently learned that property was stolen during a robbery, and that the victim had been murdered.  Smith then helped sell or dispose of the stolen property.

Roberson was arrested on February 11, 2021.  In an interview with federal law enforcement agents on that date, Smith lied about her role in the sale or disposal of the stolen property.

Smith pleaded guilty to misprision of felony, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  She is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.

On April 27, 2023, Roberson, also known as “Cutty,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnaping, and one count of causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm.  At sentencing, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He has been detained since his arrest.

As to Roberson’s associate, who is awaiting trial, U.S. Attorney Avery that charges are not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, FBI’s Springfield Gang Task Force, Massachusetts State Police, Hampden County (Mass.) District Attorney’s Office, Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, Chicopee Police Department and Springfield Police Department, with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department and the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Angel M. Krull.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for their assistance in this matter.