Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty To Cover-Up Crime In Murder Case

MANCHESTER, CT — A guilty plea has been entered in the case of a Manchester woman implicated in a 2020 murder case.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that 34-year-old Shamari Smith, also known as "Dakota," entered a guilty plea Monday n 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 Dec. 24, 2020, Calvin Roberson and another individual kidnapped Francisco Roman, Jr., 28, at gunpoint from his residence in Chicopee, MA.

Roberson and his associate threatened to harm Roman if he did not comply with their orders, then handcuffed him, and stole cash, marijuana, and other items from Roman, Avery said. 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, according to case records.

Roberson’s associate shot and killed Roman while the car was en route to Hartford, Avery said. They then drove to the car Shultas Place in Hartford and left it parked on the street, according to case records.

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, according to case records. Smith subsequently learned that property was stolen during a robbery, and that the victim had been murdered and then then helped sell or dispose of the stolen property, according to case records.

Roberson was arrested on Feb. 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, Avery said. Smith entered a guilty plea to misprision of felony, meaning she covered up a crime. It is an offense that carries a maximum prison 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.