HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (TCN) — A mother and her 18-year-old son will spend decades behind bars in connection with the fatal beating of a North Carolina man nearly two years ago.
According to the 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 42-year-old Samantha Watts and her son Payton Watts pleaded guilty July 10 to the murder of Corey Soles. On July 14, a judge sentenced Samantha Watts to 45 years in prison and Payton Watts to 35 years.
Samantha Watts’ daughter, 23-year-old Amber Watts, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder under the Youthful Offender Act and received a six-year suspended sentence and five years of probation. Samantha Watts’ son Jonathan Watts, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery under the Youthful Offender Act and was sentenced to time served.
Soles of Chadbourn, North Carolina, was reported missing in January, WMBF-TV reports. His body was reportedly discovered around two weeks later in Green Sea, South Carolina.
Sometime between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, 2023, Samantha Watts and her two sons reportedly beat the victim with an iron pole, and he suffered blunt force trauma to his head. Prosecutors said Soles was in a wheelchair with a broken leg from a prior assault by Payton Watts.
According to WMBF, prosecutors said the victim’s body was wrapped in tarps, and there were multiple cement blocks tied to him.
Investigators reportedly determined Samantha Watts operated a drug distribution business and used Payton Watts as her “muscle.” He was reportedly 16 when Soles died.
In a statement, Brandon Lanier, an assistant solicitor, said, “Corey ‘Adam’ Soles was a loving father, a son, a hard worker, and a man who loved the outdoors. He was 29 years old when he was murdered. We hope that this outcome provides Mr. Soles’ family with at least a sense of justice, because nothing will replace their son.”
Ryan Porter and Josh Brown were also arrested in the case. Porter faces charges of second-degree assault and battery by mob, and Brown was charged with accessory after the fact. Their cases are reportedly pending.
