Tallahassee Man Sentenced To Life In Federal Prison For Sex Trafficking Of A Minor

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Tyron Columbia Watson, 39, of Tallahassee, Florida was sentenced to Life in federal prison for two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor Under the Age of 14. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Watson’s sentence was the result of a three-day federal jury trial resulting in a guilty verdict on April 27, 2022, finding Watson guilty on two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor Under the Age of 14.

“This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable, and it should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Through concerted efforts like Operation Stolen Innocence we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who prey upon our children.”

“We are grateful to see justice prevail for the victim in this case,” said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “Watson’s sentencing is a testament to the judicial system’s tireless efforts to hold accountable those who break the law and reiterate to the community that human trafficking will not be tolerated.”

“This sentence recognizes both the horror of the crime and the incredible work of the investigative and prosecution team,” said State Attorney Jack Campbell. “Too often, we think that sexual trafficking only happens in other parts of the world. Through the tireless efforts of the investigators and prosecutors, we literally saved the life of a child held in sexual slavery on the streets of Tallahassee. We must all recognize that she was not alone, and we shall bring freedom to such victims and justice to their oppressors.”

“Operation Stolen Innocence has produced a torrent of prosecutions of child predators who destroy the hopes of successful futures for our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “This life sentence is a testament to the partnership, dedication, and commitment of the investigators from HSI, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office who aggressively fight to dismantle the sexual exploitation of children in Florida. We are obviously all in on this fight.”

He will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions.

This conviction was the result of a collaborative investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations as part of Operation Stolen Innocence, a multi-agency coordinated effort by the United States Marshals Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit, to combat human trafficking in the Tallahassee area.  First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven and Special Assistant United States Attorney Khari James prosecuted this case.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.