A San Bernardino man has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for his role in an armed robbery of a marijuana deal that led to the death of a 21-year-old man. Dillion Jones, who is 20 years old, received a 186-month sentence from United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal. Along with prison time, Jones has been ordered to pay $14,342 in restitution, as detailed in a press release from the Department of Justice.
Jones had earlier admitted guilt in March 2023 to several charges including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence that resulted in death. The fatal incident, which occurred in July 2021, tragically culminated when Jones and an accomplice, Martrell Shaw, attempted to forcefully rob the victim of marijuana and a firearm. United States Attorney Martin Estrada conveyed the gravity of the crime, stating, "This defendant's reckless disregard for human life resulted in a senseless murder and a grieving family left behind," as reported by the Department of Justice.
Part of a larger crew, Jones and his co-conspirators had planned the robbery, knowing they lacked the funds to legitimately purchase the marijuana. Martrell Shaw's brother, Rontrell Brainell Shaw, served as the getaway driver for the crime. Rontrell was previously sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, while Martrell Shaw received a 20-year sentence for his participation.
In a demonstration to commit to reducing violent crime, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF Los Angeles Field Division Jose Medina emphasized the commitment of law enforcement agencies to create safer communities by targeting violent career criminals. "ATF is dedicated to using all its federal tools and resources to make our communities safer," Medina said, according to the same DOJ release. The case was the result of collaborative efforts between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the San Bernardino Police Department, as part of Operation Safe Cities—a strategic initiative focused on prosecuting serious crime offenders.
