Dancehall artiste Squash, born Andrae Whittaker, may soon learn his fate as his legal team makes a final appeal for leniency in his U.S. gun conviction case. The entertainer’s attorney, Samuel J. Rabin Jr of Rabin & Lopez, has asked the court to hand down a sentence of less than two years, arguing that such a punishment would be fair and just under the circumstances.
The 34-year-old Jamaican was initially facing a maximum of 10 years each for two charges: possession of a firearm by a person unlawfully present in the United States and unlawful possession of a machine gun. To get a reduced sentence, Squash entered a plea deal, admitting guilt to the first offence.
His fate will not be known until November 24, the day of sentencing. However, Mr Rabin’s court submission suggests that with the plea deal, the deejay could be looking at a 24- to 30-month sentence based on the standard sentencing guidelines. The attorney believes that Squash should get a shorter sentence.
He supported his reason by highlighting the entertainer’s personal background and good character. His argument also highlighted the entertainer’s immigration status, noting that after serving any sentence, Squash will likely remain in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before deportation. He argued that both the sentence and the ICE hold would reduce any potential threat Squash could pose to the public.
The attorney argued that Squash’s situation does not warrant a lengthy custodial term, emphasising that the goals of justice would still be served with less than two years of imprisonment.
In support of his plea, the attorney submitted character reference letters from Squash’s wife, Naomi. The letters describe the entertainer as a family man, a kind employer, and a generous person. Naomi, who works as a sound engineer and a security guard, also expressed the emotional toll the case has taken on their family, particularly on their five children, who deeply miss their father
Meanwhile, the defence has raised objections to certain claims in the undisclosed Presentence Investigation Report, which claims Squash is affiliated with a transnational criminal organisation. Mr Rabin contends that such claims in the report are misleading and unproven information. Another detail in the report indicates that the firearm’s serial number was tampered with. He has urged the court to disregard these claims unless credible evidence is presented.