Three Indicted for Contract Killing of 17-Year-Old High School Student in Order To Prevent Her Testimony in Court
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Brooksville residents Lenard White, 36, aka “Len,” “Mike Williams,” and “Stick,” Sheldon Robinson, 21, aka “Poboy” and Keshawn Woods, 22, with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence which caused the death of I.S. and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. White and Robinson were also charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, tampering with a witness and obstruction of justice. Janet Williams, 44, from Brooksville, Robinson’s mother, has been charged with multiple counts of false statements to federal agents.
If convicted on all counts, White, Robinson, and Woods each face mandatory life imprisonment, or the federal death penalty. Williams faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each of the three false statement counts.
According to the indictment and evidence presented in court, on Feb. 6, a 17-year-old victim (I.S.) and her mother (L.P.) went to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office to report that I.S. had been sexually assaulted by White. White then contracted with Robinson and Woods to murder I.S. for $10,000 to prevent her from further pursuing criminal charges against him. The following day, Robinson and Woods arrived at I.S. and L.P.’s home and knocked on the door. When the door was opened, a barrage of gunshots was fired at I.S. and L.P. I.S. was shot four times and killed. L.P. was struck by gunfire but survived.
As the federal investigation of I.S.’s murder progressed, White, Robinson and Williams attempted to hinder the investigation by disposing of evidence, tampering with witnesses, obstructing justice and making false statements to law enforcement.
Williams made her initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 26, and was released on conditions including home detention. Woods had his initial appearance in federal court on Nov. 1, and was ordered detained. White and Robinson are currently in state custody. They are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court on Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with substantial assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
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