James Walker Watson, Jr., 68, of Orlando, Florida, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Watson pleaded guilty in May 2023 and was sentenced on June 20, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III. Restitution to victims will be determined at a separate hearing.
From 2016 to 2020, Watson executed a scheme to defraud individuals in North Texas. Posing as a concert promoter, he solicited investments for events, including two concerts at Southfork Ranch in Plano, Texas. Watson did not return the investments, causing victims to lose approximately $3 million. He often pressured investors to contribute more, threatening that without further investment, they would not see any returns.
“The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to prosecute those who commit fraud and steal money from victims in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Diggs. “These crimes take advantage of individuals who trust the defendants with their hard-earned savings and investments.”
The FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Combs.
