A mother and her son have been sentenced for their roles in the brutal killing of a man in a wheelchair, a crime that shocked many in South Carolina. The case highlights not only a horrific act of violence but also a disturbing dynamic of family control and criminal behavior.
Samantha Watts, 42, and her son, Payton Watts, 18, were both sentenced to lengthy prison terms after pleading guilty to murder, bringing some closure to the tragic case.
The Crime: A Brutal Attack on a Vulnerable Man
The crime occurred between January 8 and 9, 2023, when Corey Adam Soles, 29, was attacked while sitting in a wheelchair. Prosecutors described how Soles was severely beaten, suffering blunt force trauma to his head, as well as a broken leg from an earlier assault by Payton Watts.
Soles was left in the wheelchair, and the mob attack continued, leading to his death. He was allegedly targeted because Samantha Watts suspected him of stealing from her drug business, particularly from his previous sales of surveillance equipment.
The Role of Family in the Crime
Samantha Watts, who prosecutors painted as the mastermind behind a drug distribution operation, was accused of using her son, Payton, as “muscle” for her criminal activities. Payton, who was just 16 at the time of the murder, became a key player in carrying out the attack on Soles.
Prosecutors argued that Samantha Watts had complete control over her family, using drugs and manipulation to groom her son to work for her criminal business. Other family members, including Samantha’s 23-year-old daughter, Amber Watts, were also involved in the crime, though in lesser roles.
Amber Watts was sentenced to six years in prison, suspended with probation, after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the murder.
Jonathan Watts, Samantha’s 21-year-old son, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to assault and battery. These family members played roles in either hiding evidence or assisting in the cover-up after Soles’ murder.
The Investigation and Sentencing
Corey Soles was reported missing on January 10, 2023, and his body was discovered six days later. Authorities eventually arrested multiple people involved in the mob attack, including Ryan James Porter and Joshua Thomas Brown. Several minors were also arrested, though their identities were not released.
After a thorough investigation, prosecutors were able to tie the crime to Samantha Watts’ drug operation, with the sale of surveillance equipment serving as key evidence.
Samantha Watts was sentenced to 45 years in prison, while Payton Watts received a 35-year sentence as part of a plea agreement.
The sentencing reflects the severity of the crime, and South Carolina Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge Michael Nettles remarked on the horrific nature of Soles’ suffering, especially as he endured a broken leg and continued to be assaulted for hours.
The Victim: Corey Adam Soles
Corey Soles, a 29-year-old father, was described as a hardworking man who loved the outdoors and was a devoted father to his three children. His tragic death has left a hole in his family, and his obituary described him as a loving son and father.
Prosecutor Brandon Lanier expressed hope that the sentencing would provide some justice to Soles’ family, although he acknowledged that no legal outcome could replace the loss of their loved one.
The case of Samantha and Payton Watts serves as a haunting reminder of the destructive power of criminal influence within families. The Watts family’s involvement in drugs and violence, particularly the role of a mother using her own son as a tool for crime, is a tragic and cautionary tale.
As the court proceedings come to a close, the justice served provides some relief to the family of Corey Soles, but the emotional and social impacts of this tragedy will likely be felt for many years.
