(WBRE/WYOU) — Officials have sentenced a man to 90 years after he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Luzerne County.
John Vincent Watson, 48, of Luzerne was sentenced to 90 years in prison for the production of child pornography.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, between October 23 and24, 2021, Watson produced four videos and one image of child pornography in Wilkes-Barre.
Police say Watson took the victim to his codefendant's apartment, William Smiley, in Luzerne where both Watson and Smiley forced her to take drugs and drink alcohol and sexually assaulted her.
Watson arriving back to Luzerne County
William Smiley
The videos and images showed Watson having sexual intercourse with the victim, posing her in the nude for the camera, and giving her alcohol, investigators reported.
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Investigators stated Watson left a Plains hotel room and the victim was able to call 911, Plains Township Police then rescued her.
After a two-month-long manhunt, Watson was captured by U.S. Marshals at the end of December 2021 and arrested in Cleveland.
Smiley was arrested back in October 2021. He is due back in court on February 27 for his role in the assault as well as drug charges.
"Our hearts go out to the victim and the family for their harrowing ordeal. The sentence handed down to John Watson is a testament to the relentless efforts and dedication of the entire investigative team and we hope that it brings some comfort to know that he cannot commit these crimes again."
Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens
