Wes Watson, a millionaire fitness influencer and former convict, has pleaded guilty to aggravated battery after striking a man with a weightlifting belt during a dispute at a Miami gym. The 42-year-old now faces up to 21 months in prison under a plea agreement negotiated with prosecutors.
Incident at Elev8tion Fitness
The altercation occurred on December 29, 2024, at Elev8tion Fitness in Miami-Dade County, Florida. According to an arrest affidavit, CCTV footage showed Watson hitting the victim with a weightlifting belt. Watson initially told police he was exercising when the man approached him and said he wanted to fight. However, he later posted a different account on his Instagram account, claiming self-defense. That account has since been deleted.
Plea deal and sentencing
Watson submitted his guilty plea on Thursday, July 2. Under the agreed deal, prosecutors have proposed a 21-month prison sentence, which includes credit for time already served. The agreement also recommends seven years of probation and court-ordered mental health treatment. Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17.
Background and other legal troubles
Watson, originally from California, previously served a 10-year prison sentence for crimes related to his role as a cannabis dealer. He was released in 2018. He gained a massive online following through videos about workouts, discipline, and his life as an ex-con. He also started the GP Penitentiary Life podcast, sharing his beliefs and experiences in custody, and founded a fitness business called Watson Fit. Additionally, he has appeared on television programs such as Hooked On The Look and the independent thriller The Colony.
Watson remains at the Metrowest Detention Center after his bail was revoked in March following a series of charges connected to an alleged domestic violence incident in Broward County. That separate case remains open, and Watson has pleaded not guilty.
