Man Sentenced to 28 Years for Deadly Facebook Marketplace Robbery

Incident highlights growing dangers of online transactions, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Sontarrius Williams, 29, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in a botched Facebook Marketplace robbery that turned deadly in Peoria, Illinois. The case underscores the increasing risks associated with arranging transactions through online platforms, as criminals exploit the anonymity and cash-based nature of these marketplaces to target unsuspecting victims.

Why it matters

Crimes linked to online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist have surged in recent years, costing consumers millions. The Peoria incident highlights a dangerous tactic where criminals lure victims to secluded locations, raising complex questions about self-defense laws and the responsibility of platform providers to enhance safety.

The details

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, reports of online purchase scams have skyrocketed, with over 700,000 complaints and more than $1 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone. The Peoria case involved Williams and an accomplice attempting to rob individuals who had traveled across state lines to purchase an item, leading to a fatal shooting where the intended purchaser was not charged due to self-defense.

  • In 2023, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 700,000 complaints related to online purchase fraud.
  • On February 5, 2026, Sontarrius Williams was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in the deadly Facebook Marketplace robbery.

The players

Sontarrius Williams

A 29-year-old man who was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in planning the botched Facebook Marketplace robbery that turned deadly.

Facebook Marketplace

An online platform that connects buyers and sellers directly, but has become a target for criminals due to the anonymity and cash-based nature of transactions.

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

The agency that reported a surge in online purchase scams, with over 700,000 complaints and more than $1 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone.

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What’s next

Lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are expected to continue exploring ways to enhance safety and security measures for online marketplaces, including the potential use of AI, biometric authentication, and blockchain technology.

The takeaway

The Peoria case serves as a sobering reminder that the convenience of online marketplaces comes with inherent risks, underscoring the need for individuals to exercise caution and for platform providers to implement more robust safety features to protect consumers.