Federal Jury Convicts Two Men in Contract Killing of 17-Year-Old Florida Student Who Reported Sexual Assault

Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published November 10th, 2025

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Federal Jury Convicts Two Men in Contract Killing of 17-Year-Old Florida Student Who Reported Sexual Assault

Tampa, FL – A federal jury has found two men guilty in the cold-blooded contract killing of a 17-year-old high school student, murdered to prevent her from testifying in court about a sexual assault she had reported just one day earlier.

Following more than two weeks of trial, jurors convicted Lenard White (37) — also known as “Len,” “Mike Williams,” and “Stick” — and Sheldon Robinson (22), known as “Poboy,” on all charges, including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, premeditated first-degree murder, discharge of a firearm resulting in death, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Both men now face multiple mandatory life sentences, with sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2026, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on February 6, 2023, the victim, identified only as I.S., and her mother L.P., reported a sexual assault to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The accused in that assault — Lenard White— left the state shortly afterward in an attempt to establish an alibi.

The following day, White’s cousin, Sheldon Robinson, went to the family’s home. When the door was opened, he unleashed a barrage of gunfire toward the teen and her mother. I.S. was struck in the back as she ran for her life, collapsing in the yard as her mother, wounded multiple times, watched her daughter die. Robinson was reportedly paid $6,000 to carry out the killing.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), launched an extensive investigation that included more than 70 federal and state search warrants. Investigators uncovered a detailed blueprint of how Robinson carried out the murder — including communications showing others he had recruited to assist him.

Six months after the murder, a second search warrant executed at Robinson’s residence revealed the murder weapon buried in a wooded area behind his home.

Throughout the investigation, White and Robinson attempted to obstruct justice, tamper with witnesses, and destroy evidence. Investigators also discovered the men had discussed a plan to have another witness killed — the same way they silenced I.S.

A third co-defendant, Keshawn Woods, previously pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder and is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, with significant assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diego F. Novaes and Samantha Newman.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that this conviction serves as a reminder of the unwavering pursuit of justice for victims, particularly those targeted for coming forward.

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida

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