PLATTSBURGH — The woman who pleaded guilty earlier this year to a conspiracy charge in the death of a Plattsburgh man last September has been sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison.
Erica Colon, 22, of Plattsburgh was handed down the indeterminate sentence by Clinton County Court Judge Keith Bruno on Thursday for conspiring with Chazz Johnson, her boyfriend, to murder Marcus Dixon in the early morning hours of Sept. 3, 2024, District Attorney Andrew J. Wylie announced in a news release.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in downtown Plattsburgh between Colon and Dixon, 31.
The news release stated Colon had an altercation with Dixon at a downtown business; after the altercation, Colon and Johnson tracked down Dixon near his residence and Johnson shot Dixon three times.
As previously reported by the Press-Republican, witnesses in the area called 911 and police arrived on the scene within minutes of the shooting. Dixon was transported to University of Vermont Healthcare Network Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital in Plattsburgh, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
After the shooting, Colon then helped Johnson evade law enforcement and concealed the murder weapon at her residence, the news release stated.
Colon eventually pleaded guilty April 17 to conspiracy in the second degree, a class B felony.
At the sentencing, Dixon’s sister described how he had overcome a hard childhood to become the first member of their family to graduate both high school and college and how he had aspired to become a member of law enforcement.
Wylie and Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey C. Kehm prosecuted the case and both addressed the court. Wylie emphasized that Colon’s actions lead to Dixon’s death, which he described as a shooting “in cold blood.”
In his remarks, Kehm stressed that throughout the investigation and court proceedings, Colon displayed a complete lack of remorse for her actions.
Bruno described the incident as “tragic” and “senseless” and agreed that Colon had not shown remorse.
Additionally, Colon was assessed $375 in fees and ordered to pay restitution for Dixon’s funeral expenses.
She was represented by attorney Peter Dumas. Johnson is due back in court for his sentencing next week, Wylie said.