A Roanoke man has admitted his involvement in a robbery plan that led to the murder of his drug supplier. Garrett Isaac Williams, 22, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery. His co-defendant, Joseph Walker, had previously pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Court documents reveal that from January 2023, Walker and Williams conspired to distribute marijuana sourced from E.B., who traveled from Pennsylvania to supply them at Walker's residence in Roanoke, Virginia. Falling into debt with E.B., they devised a plan not to pay but instead order more marijuana and rob him upon delivery.
On April 17, 2023, E.B. arrived at Walker’s home with approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and two pounds of marijuana wax. Williams facilitated the deal and kept Walker informed about E.B.'s arrival. Armed with a Sig Sauer .45 caliber pistol, Walker confronted E.B., shot him twice, killing him instantly. He then took the drugs and attempted to conceal the crime by placing E.B.’s body in his car trunk and setting it on fire in Bedford County.
Although not present during the robbery, Williams admitted his role in planning it.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee along with Stanley M. Meador of the FBI’s Richmond Division and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley of Virginia State Police.
The investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI, Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals Service among others. The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force also contributed significantly.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Coleman Adams and Kelly McGann are leading the prosecution with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.