A man who provided crucial testimony against three former friends involved in the robbery and murder of rising rap star XXXTentacion five years ago will spend the next two years in prison, according to a ruling by Circuit Judge Michael Usan on Wednesday, May 17.
Robert Allen, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year, was sentenced to seven years in prison, with credit for the five years he has already served in Broward County jail. Following his prison term, Allen will be subject to 20 years of probation. His sentence could have been a life term.
During the sentencing, Judge Usan acknowledged Allen’s transformation, stating,
I genuinely believe that you are sorry for what you’ve done and not sorry for yourself.”
Allen, now 27 years old, had previously testified against Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome, who were convicted of first-degree murder in March and sentenced to life in prison. In court, Allen expressed remorse, saying, “Please forgive me, I’m so sorry.” He pleaded with the court to spare him from being sent to state prison, as it would likely result in a death sentence due to his former gang affiliations and the potential danger posed by other gang members.
His attorney, Jim Lewis, emphasized that Allen had done the right thing by cooperating with authorities and testified to ensure justice was served. Lewis argued that Allen deserved an opportunity to rebuild his life, considering the risks he would face if sent to state prison.
During the trial, prosecutors presented extensive surveillance video evidence linking Allen, Boatwright, Williams and Newsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale. The footage showed the group stealing $50,000 and flaunting large amounts of cash in cellphone videos taken after the incident.
The late rapper, XXXTentacion, whose birth name was Jahseh Onfroy, had just left Riva Motorsports with a friend when he was confronted by masked gunmen who shot him multiple times. The assailants stole a Louis Vuitton bag containing the cash XXXTentacion had withdrawn from a bank before fleeing in an SUV.
Allen testified that the group had planned to commit robberies that day and specifically targeted the rapper after spotting him at the motorcycle shop. He revealed that Boatwright was the primary shooter, Newsome was the other gunman and Williams acted as the group’s leader and driver.
The sentencing of Robert Allen marks another chapter in the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic murder of XXXTentacion, shedding light on the involvement of those responsible for the crime.
