• Guilty plea: Walter Rodgers pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony on Monday, according to U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio records.
Credit: MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL
Credit: MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL
What was he accused of?
• Gas station shooting: On Sept. 2, Rodgers was involved in a shootout at the Sunoco gas station at 2626 E. Third St.
Video surveillance showed Rodgers ran inside the gas station convenience store after being shot at, according to court documents. He then got a gun from his bag, walked outside and returned fire.
Rodgers was injured during the shooting, according to the complaint. Investigators claimed they recovered a bloody gun at the scene that belonged to him.
• Comments about missing girlfriend: While Rodgers was at the entrance of the gas station convenience store, he said, “I’m going to do ya’ll like I did Cierra,” according to a federal complaint.
Rodgers previously dated Cierra Chapman, who has been missing since 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Chapman was last seen early Dec. 27, 2022, at an apartment in Autumn Woods Drive in Trotwood. She was meeting an ex to exchange items.
Dayton police wouldn’t confirm if Rodger was the person Chapman was meeting.
“The Dayton Police Department is actively investigating the disappearance of Cierra Chapman as a missing person,” Lt. Eric Sheldon said previously. “As with any new piece of evidence, this recent statement is being thoroughly vetted and investigated. The involved witness has been interviewed.”
As of Tuesday, Rodgers is not facing any criminal charges in connection with Chapman’s disappearance.
What happens next?
• Sentencing: Rodgers’ sentencing is scheduled for April 2.
About the Author