Man pleads guilty to 2022 drug deal murder at Loves Park Toyota dealership

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Roman Richmond, 30, has pleaded guilty to murder for killing Daniel Johnson, 29, during a drug deal at a Toyota dealership in Loves Park.

According to court records, Johnson was an employee of Anderson Toyota, at 4100 N. Perryville Road, on April 7th, 2022, when the murder occurred.

Court records showed that Richmond arrived at the dealership after agreeing to pay another employee $1,000 for a pound of marijuana.

At 4:45 that day, Richmond attempted to rob the employee of the drugs while meeting inside a car in the parking lot.

Johnson, who was armed and in another car, pointed a gun at Richmond and ordered him to leave, but Richmond shot first, hitting Johnson in the chest, records show.

Richmond was later captured by police in the area of the Rockford Bicycle Company, at 4169 N. Perryville Road.

Responding officers found Johnson dead in the parking lot of the dealership.

Richmond pleaded guilty to the charge of First Degree Murder as part of a plea deal in court on Thursday. Charges of Armed Habitual Criminal and Armed Robbery were dismissed.

He was sentenced to spend 29 years in prison, with credit for the 3 already served.