USA (McKoy’s Information) — In a shocking twist simply days earlier than his federal gun trial was set to start, dancehall artiste Squash, whose actual title is Andrae Maurice Whittaker, has opted to plead responsible in a U.S. courtroom — avoiding trial and leaving followers and authorized watchers shocked.
The St James native was staring down severe federal expenses: being an alien in possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a machine gun, following a site visitors cease in February 2025 that turned up two Glock pistols and a number of other loaded magazines.
Squash had beforehand equipped for a courtroom battle, together with his authorized workforce submitting motions to suppress the proof, arguing the firearms had been obtained by means of an unlawful search. Prosecutors, in the meantime, had fought again, trying to introduce textual content messages, movies from Squash’s cellphone, and even lyrics from his music as a part of the case.
A key court docket ruling on that proof was scheduled for Tuesday, however in a sensational authorized growth, that listening to was cancelled on Monday. Why? As a result of attorneys confirmed that Squash can be altering his plea to responsible.
With that, the jury trial, initially set for September 2, has now been known as off. A brand new listening to is scheduled for September 3, when the dancehall deejay is predicted to enter his responsible plea earlier than a federal choose.
Sources say Squash had till August 26 to strike a deal or threat going to trial — and dealing with as much as 10 years in jail on every cost. If prosecutors had confirmed three or extra prior convictions, the Jamaican artiste might’ve been slapped with a compulsory minimal of 15 years per depend.
Thus far, particulars of the plea settlement stay sealed, and it’s unclear what sentence Squash will face.
This isn’t the primary time Squash has discovered himself in sizzling water on U.S. soil. Again in 2023, one other site visitors cease led to him being detained by ICE, and two firearms had been additionally seized in that case — eerily just like the February 2025 incident.
Federal authorities preserve that Squash entered the U.S. illegally in 2021, and he nonetheless faces deportation proceedings stemming from that earlier arrest.
Because the authorized saga continues, one factor is evident — Squash’s days in America could also be numbered, and his future as a free man hangs within the steadiness.
