Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Fatal Facebook Marketplace Robbery

December 15, 2025, Peoria, IL - Today, Sontarrius D. Williams pleaded guilty to Armed Robbery for his role in a foiled Facebook Marketplace robbery in January 2024 that left one of the robbers dead. In exchange for the guilty plea, the state agreed to a maximum possible prison sentence of 28 years. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2026.

On the evening of January 15, 2024, two individuals traveled to Peoria to purchase a vehicle arranged through Facebook Marketplace. They were directed to an alley in the south end, where several individuals, including Williams, attempted to rob them at gunpoint.

One of the purchasers, who possessed a lawfully owned firearm, exchanged gunfire with the robbers, and one of the robbers was killed. The purchaser was not charged, as the shooting was determined to be self-defense.

Investigators used Flock camera images and surveillance footage to identify the suspects in this case.

Williams is one of five individuals charged in the case.

Jalyn Branscumb, 20, Keshawn Williams, 20, and Tanarius Kingcade, 20, previously pleaded guilty to armed robbery. Branscumb was sentenced to 22 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Keshawn Williams will be sentenced on February 4, 2026, and Kingcade on January 9, 2026. The case against Johnathan Williams, 21, remains pending.

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