A man involved in a heinous crime has been found guilty of murder for orchestrating the killing of a 17-year-old girl who had reported him to the authorities for sexual assault. Lenard White, 37, was reported by Isabella Scavelli and her mother, La Shawn Pope, to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on February 6, 2023. Tragically, just one day after the report, Isabella was fatally shot by a gunman at her home.
The assailant, Sheldon Robinson, was later identified, leading to the arrest of White, who is Robinson’s cousin. The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida revealed that White was convicted by a federal jury on charges including murder and murder for hire.
White was found guilty of various crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder for hire, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Isabella, a high school junior involved in programs like the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), was shot in the back while fleeing for help after encountering Robinson at her door.
La Shawn, Isabella’s mother, was also injured during the attack and witnessed her daughter’s tragic death. Following the incident, La Shawn was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The murder weapon was recovered from Robinson’s backyard six months later, where he had buried it.
Both White and Robinson were convicted on multiple charges and face the possibility of multiple life sentences. Their sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2026.