RIVERSIDE, California
Two brothers have been sentenced to terms in federal prison for their roles in a July 2021 armed robbery of a marijuana dealer in San Bernardino, which resulted in the victim’s death from gunshot wounds, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal sentenced Martrell Patrick Shaw, 20, of San Bernardino, one of the two robbers, to 20 years in federal prison late on Monday.
At a separate hearing, Judge Bernal sentenced Rontrell Brainell Shaw, 22, of San Bernardino, the robbery crew’s getaway driver, to 14 years in federal prison.
Both defendants were ordered to pay $14,342 in restitution to the victim’s father for funeral expenses.
Martrell Shaw pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death. Rontrell Shaw pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2021, co-defendant Dillion Jones, 20, of San Bernardino, the Shaw brothers’ cousin, placed an order with the victim, identified in court documents as “D.M.,” for one pound of marijuana.
Jones placed the order knowing that neither Martrell Shaw nor Rontrell Shaw had enough money to pay for it. Instead, the trio planned to rob the victim at gunpoint. Jones and Martrell Shaw brought a loaded firearm with them while Rontrell Shaw acted as their driver.
Once the victim arrived at what he thought was the drug deal location in San Bernardino, Martrell Shaw and Jones robbed him at gunpoint. During the robbery, one of the robbers discharged the firearm twice, striking the victim in the neck and torso.
Martrell Shaw and Jones then stole the marijuana and a firearm belonging to the victim, who later died from the gunshot wounds he suffered.
Rontrell Shaw then picked up Martrell Shaw and Jones and drove away to avoid detection by law enforcement. Shortly after picking them up, Rontrell Shaw learned the victim was shot during the robbery, and he eventually learned that the victim died from his wounds.
“These defendants’ greed and violence led to the death of the victim,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Their disregard for human life has left the victim’s family and friends devastated. My office’s priority is public safety, and today’s sentences show our continued determination to punish and deter violent criminals.”
“These violent individuals clearly have no regard for life,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere. “In this instance, greed outweighed humanity. Today is a win for justice and a heavy message to the community. Law enforcement will combine their resources and all our areas of expertise to find these trigger pullers. We will build the cases and win; they will lose.”
Jones pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 1. He faces up to life in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.