BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Janet Williams, a 44-year-old woman from Brooksville, Florida, pleaded guilty today to three counts of making false statements to federal agents.
The charges stem from an investigation related to the arrest of her son, Sheldon Robinson, who is accused of the murder of a 17-year-old Hernando County High School student in February 2023.
According to court documents, Williams repeatedly lied to federal agents about her son’s involvement in the crime, denying any knowledge of his alleged possession of firearms or money related to the case. However, a federal search of her residence and phone revealed evidence contradicting her statements, including photos of Robinson with firearms.
On August 9, 2023, Williams was interviewed by special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and detectives from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office detectives.
Williams repeatedly denied finding any money that belonged to Robinson in her home. On August 17, 2023, Robinson spoke to Williams. During this call, Williams told Robinson about ATF’s visit, saying, “Feds came to the house.
They took over the case.” At one point, she says, “They were asking me…did you come into a whole bunch of money? I said No. But, you did come into a whole bunch of money.”
Read: Florida Father Charged With Murder After Admitting To Kneeing ‘Fussy’ 6-Week-Old Baby
On September 20, 2023, during the execution of a federal search warrant at Williams’s residence, Williams again told federal agents she had not found any money in the residence that belonged to Robinson.
Williams also denied ever seeing Robinson with a firearm or knowing he possessed one. Agents executed a federal search warrant on Williams’s phone at the same time they searched her residence. Her cellphone contained numerous photos of Robinson routinely possessing firearms, including possessing them in Williams’s home.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the guilty plea, emphasizing the importance of honesty and cooperation with law enforcement. Williams now faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The case against Sheldon Robinson is still pending trial, and the investigation is ongoing.
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