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Hartford County resident Shamari Smith, 34, of Manchester, faces up to three years after admitting to misprision of felony in the kidnap and killing of Francisco "Paco" Roman, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.
Authorities accused Smith of helping sell Roman's things after his killing despite knowing what had happened to the 28-year-old father of three.
Investigators said Calvin Roberson and Brandon Batiste kidnapped Roman from his Hampden County home in Chicopee, handcuffed him, stuffed him in the trunk of his own car, and robbed him of cash and marijuana.
During their return to Connecticut, Batiste shot and killed Roman in the back of the 2010 Acura ZDX, officials said. Police found Roman's car on fire on Shultas Place in Hartford two days later, with his body still in the trunk.
Investigators said Roberson shared an apartment with Smith. He told her about the killing and robbery, and she helped him get rid of the stolen items, the prosecutor said.
Smith was arrested in February 2021 and lied to police about her role in the cover-up. She is out on a $150,000 bond while she awaits sentencing, authorities said.
Roberson pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm, the prosecutor said. He could face up to life in prison.
Batiste, of Springfield, is awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, firearm-related murder, obstruction of justice, and interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, prosecutors have said.
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