Life Sentence for Wilmington Kidnapper and Murderer Affirmed on Appeal

WILMINGTON, Del. - On August 27, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit summarily affirmed the conviction and life sentence of Kimon Burton-Roberson, 32, of Wilmington, for a brutal, gang-related kidnapping and murder.

Burton-Roberson, a member of the Shotgun Crips street gang, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly sentenced him to life in prison in December 2025. The Third Circuit's decision ensures that Burton-Roberson will spend the remainder of his life in federal custody.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Burton-Roberson and several gangmates invaded the home of a 35-year-old Wilmington resident in July 2021. The gang beat and bound the victim, and drove him across state lines to Yeadon, Pennsylvania, where Burton-Roberson executed him with an assault rifle before attempting to destroy forensic evidence.

"Kimon Burton-Roberson stole a man's life in a brutal act of gang violence," said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. "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."

"Protecting our communities, crushing violent crime, and holding dangerous offenders accountable are some of the FBI's highest priorities. This decision reaffirms gang violence will be severely punished," said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul.

"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," said Wilmington Police Major Andrea Janvier, who oversees investigative operations for the agency. "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 Federal Bureau of Investigation's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, alongside the Wilmington Police Department, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Delaware Probation and Parole.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace defended the conviction and sentence on appeal. The case was prosecuted in the District Court by U.S. Attorney Wallace and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle L. Morgan and Kevin P. Pierce.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the District of Delaware or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 22-CR-17-CFC.