Tampa, FL – Two Hernando County men have been found guilty in the murder-for-hire killing of 17-year-old Isabella Scavelli, who was shot and killed in February 2023 to prevent her from testifying in a sexual assault case.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lenard White (38) and Sheldon Robinson (23) were convicted on October 28, 2025, of Conspiracy to Commit Murder for Hire, Murder for Hire, Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Tampering with a Witness, and Obstruction of Justice.
A third suspect, Keshawn Woods (24), previously pleaded guilty to related charges and is scheduled to be sentenced next week. White and Robinson will be sentenced in January 2025, each facing mandatory life imprisonment.
Prosecutors said White contracted Robinson and Woods for $10,000 to kill Scavelli after she reported being sexually assaulted by him to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. On February 7, 2023, Robinson and Woods allegedly went to the victim’s home, firing multiple shots that killed Scavelli and injured her mother.
Investigators later found that White, Robinson, and Robinson’s mother, Janet Williams, tried to cover up the crime by tampering with witnesses and destroying evidence. Williams faces separate charges for making false statements to federal agents.
The case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FDLE, and the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diego F. Novaes is prosecuting.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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