Contributed by Rashona Fitz-Henley
Federal authorities in the United States have alleged that Dancehall artiste Squash is the leader of a transnational criminal organization.
The artiste’s legal woes have multiplied since his arrest on February 24 this year during a traffic stop in Miami.
Federal prosecutors recently took over the case of the artiste whose given name is Andre Maurice Whittaker.
Since then Squash’s original charges of possession of a modified firearm and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit were dropped.
New charges were laid – one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition, and one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun.
The new charges are said to carry stiffer penalties including the possibility of deportation and arise from what Federal Prosecutors allege is evidence linking him to the G-City Gang.
His trial date is set for September 2, 2025 and he has until August 26 to accept a plea deal.