Willie Watkins To Plead Guilty To Lesser Charge In Sex Trafficking Case

  • Saturday, April 7, 2018
Willie Watkins
Willie Watkins

A man who was arrested by federal authorities in 2016 for sex trafficking has reached agreement to plead guilty to conspiracy to transport individuals for the purpose of prostitution.

The agreement says Willie Watkins faces up to five years in prison on the plea.

Authorities at the time of his arrest said Watkins and co-defendant Corrie Gillispie faced up to life in prison for conspiracy, kidnapping, and sex trafficking.

Those charges are still pending against Watkins and Gillispie, but the plea agreement for Watkins says those will be dismissed.

The plea agreement says Watkins' role was to assist Gillispie in the transport of prostitutes and to ensure compliance with Gillispie's demands on them.

It says the scheme began in 2008 and continued until their arrest in May 2016.

The plea agreement says in 2015 that Gillispie held an individual at 4807 16th Ave., Chattanooga, as a prostitute against her will.

It says Watkins was present with Gillispie at Fort Oglethorpe at a commercial building that was being used for prostitution. It says a female who was being used as a prostitute at that location had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance after suffering a panic attack after being arrested for prostitution.

The agreement says Watkins and Gillispie picked the woman up at the hospital, and Watkins was present when Gillispie assaulted her.

It says Gillispie in April and May 2016 recruited a woman with promises to make her a super model, but instead posted images of her on Backpage.com as working for an escort service. It says Gillispie coached her on being a prostitute and changed her appearance before he forced her to be a prostitute.

The agreement says after the woman had prostituted for Gillispie in Knoxville for about a week she told him she wanted to return home to Rome, Ga. It says Gillispie initially seemed to agree that she could go home, and he said he would drive her there. But it says he then used Watkins as his "soldier" to intimidate her into staying.

It says Gillispie forced another woman to prostitute for him for eight years, and it says Watkins was present when Gillispie beat her. The agreement says when that woman was arrested in Dalton, Ga., for prostitution that calls between her and Gillispie were recorded at the detention center. It says Watkins went to Dalton and, using Gillispie's driver's license, retrieved a car the woman had been driving.

While carrying out a search warrant in May 2016, agents found records showing hours that Watkins was working for Gillispie and what he was being paid.

They also found a documentary-style recording produced by and starring Gillispie that was entitled "Follow My Lead - Keep It Pimping." In the one hour and 22 minute video, Gillispie explained his style of pimping. Watkins was on the recording asking Gillispie questions.

Watkins is represented by attorney Paul Bergmann.

 

 

 

Corrie Gillispie
Corrie Gillispie
Breaking News
New Hope Fire Department Disputes TWRA Report On Kayaker Rescues
  • 3/28/2024

New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. ... more

Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
  • 3/28/2024

A woman died after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a house fire on North Moore Road Thursday afternoon and was rescued by Chattanooga firefighters. Hamilton County 911 received a call ... more

Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
  • 3/28/2024

A motorcyclist fled on Sunday, from a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempting to make a lawful stop on Highway 27. Since that time, the deputy has been working leads to identify the ... more