Squash Avoids Trial: Dancehall Artiste Reaches Plea Deal in U.S. Federal Gun Case

Dancehall artiste Squash has reached a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors, sidestepping what could have been a high-stakes federal gun trial. The Jamaican entertainer, born Andrae Maurice Whittaker, confirmed through his attorneys that he intends to plead guilty on September 3 to charges of being an alien in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a machine gun. The move comes just weeks before his scheduled jury trial on September 2, which has now been cancelled.

The charges stem from a February traffic stop where police reportedly seized two Glock pistols and several magazines filled with ammunition. Squash’s legal team had been fighting to suppress the evidence, arguing that the search was illegal, while federal prosecutors were pushing to introduce additional evidence—including content from his phone and even lyrics from his music—at trial. Monday’s sudden cancellation of a key court hearing signalled the entertainer’s decision to change course and negotiate a resolution instead of facing the jury.

Though the exact terms of the plea agreement remain under wraps, the stakes were high. Had the case gone to trial and ended in conviction, Squash faced up to ten years in prison for each charge—or a mandatory minimum of 15 years if the court determined he had three or more prior convictions. By opting to plead guilty before the August 26 deadline, the Montego Bay native may have spared himself a much harsher outcome.

This latest development adds to Squash’s mounting legal troubles in the United States. In 2023, he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after another gun-related stop, during which two firearms were seized. He still faces deportation proceedings tied to that case, as federal authorities allege he entered the country illegally in 2021.

With sentencing now looming, fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely to see how this chapter unfolds for the 6ix Boss. While the plea deal may reduce his prison exposure, the lingering threat of deportation casts a long shadow over his U.S. career prospects.

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook