Wilmington Man Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Resulting In Death

Friday, December 27, 2024, 4:00 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WILMINGTON, DE.- Last Monday, a 31-year-old Wilmington, Delaware, man learned that he would most likely be spending the rest of his life in federal prison after pleading guilty to a 2021 kidnapping and killing of a Wilmington man and then dumping his body in a Pennsylvania industrial park.

     On Monday, December 16, 2024, Kimon Burton-Roberson, 31, of Wilmington, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Colm F. Connolly to Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping; and Kidnapping Resulting in Death.

     After entering his guilty plea, Judge Connolly accepted it and scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2025. Burton-Roberson faces up to life in federal prison. Judge Connolly will determine the actual term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Burton-Roberson’s prior criminal history.

According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office

     According to U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss and charging documents filed with the District Court, during the early morning hours of July 12, 2021, Burton-Roberson, along with co-conspirators, entered a residence in Wilmington, Delaware, where they knew their victim to be staying.

     Upon entering the residence, Burton-Roberson and his co-conspirators beat the victim with an object until the victim was bleeding, tying the victim’s hands together with zip ties. Burton-Roberson, with others, then forcibly removed the victim from the residence, placed the victim into Burton-Roberson’s vehicle, and drove the victim into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Burton-Roberson And Co-Conspirators Dump Victim’s Body

     Upon arriving in Pennsylvania, members of the conspiracy shot the victim in the head, killing the victim and dumping the victim’s body in an industrial park in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

     U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “By working together across jurisdictions, federal and local law enforcement identified the perpetrator of this heinous crime and brought him to justice. We are proud of the tireless, cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners.”

     “The Yeadon Police Department is pleased to have greatly assisted in bringing this fugitive to justice, which brings closure to this sad, epic story that had unfortunately ended up in Yeadon. We are pleased to be able to work together with our federal partners in the FBI, Department of Justice, and regional authorities, including our Delaware County DA’s Office, as well as neighboring boroughs, in bringing this matter to a close. This illustrates how cooperation between law enforcement partners can serve to the benefit of all concerned citizens.”

     “Crimes like these, in which actors perpetrate offenses across jurisdictional boundaries, underscore the critical importance of our strong partnerships with our partner law enforcement agencies,” said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. “It is our hope that the charges in this case, and now this guilty plea, will bring some measure of comfort to the family of the victim in this case.”

     “With this plea, Burton-Roberson is being held accountable for the horrific murder and cruel disregard he showed his victim. This type of violence is intolerable,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “The FbI’s Wilmington Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force works every day to make our community safer by removing violent criminals like Burton-Roberson from our streets. We are proud of the partnerships and dedication shown by all agencies to bring justice in this case.