Gang Killer's Life Sentence Upheld on Appeal
State of DE - A federal appeals court has upheld the life sentence of a Wilmington man convicted in a gang related kidnapping and murder. The ruling came down on August 27, 2026, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
The court affirmed the conviction and life sentence of Kimon Burton-Roberson, 32, of Wilmington, Delaware. Burton-Roberson is a member of the Shotgun Crips street gang.
He pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly sentenced him to life in prison in December 2025.
With the appeal now decided, Burton-Roberson will spend the rest of his life in federal custody. Court documents and trial evidence lay out what happened back in July 2021.
Burton-Roberson and several fellow gang members broke into the home of a 35-year-old Wilmington resident. The gang beat and bound the victim before driving him across state lines to Yeadon, Pennsylvania.
Once there, Burton-Roberson shot and killed him with an assault rifle. He then tried to destroy forensic evidence tied to the crime.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace spoke about the case following the court's decision. "Kimon Burton-Roberson stole a man's life in a brutal act of gang violence," Wallace said. "We are gratified by the decision of the Third Circuit, which, we hope, will bring closure to the victim's family and broader community. This now-final life sentence is a message to Delaware's street gangs: gang violence can strip you of your freedom for life, and where justice requires that outcome, we will fight for it until the final bell."
FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul also commented on the case. "Protecting our communities, crushing violent crime, and holding dangerous offenders accountable are some of the FBI's highest priorities," Paul said. "This decision reaffirms gang violence will be severely punished."
Wilmington Police Major Andrea Janvier, who oversees investigative operations for the department, praised the work that went into the case. "I am proud of the work of our police officers and our partner agencies, who worked collaboratively to deliver justice on behalf of the victim in this case," Janvier said. "We also appreciate the efforts of our partners at the United States Attorney's Office, who worked tirelessly to ensure the defendant received the harshest penalty possible."
The investigation was led by the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force. The Wilmington Police Department, Yeadon Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Delaware Probation and Parole all took part as well.
U.S. Attorney Wallace defended the conviction and sentence during the appeal. The case was prosecuted by Wallace along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle L. Morgan and Kevin P. Pierce.
