A Chula Vista man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons says Eric L. Watkins, Jr., 21, will be released on Aug. 4, 2023. Watkins has received credit for already serving almost two years in jail since his arrest in Nov., 2014.
Watkins, who was known under the nickname of “Crank Moe,” will be ordered to register as a sex offender once he is paroled, said the U.S. Attorney’s office.
U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Bashant recommended Terminal Island as the prison for Watkins and she also recommended he undergo a drug and alcohol treatment program, according to court records.
A co-defendant, Richard Bojorquez, 24, of San Diego, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison for the same offense. Both men approached teen-age girls on Facebook and elsewhere to recruit them for prostitution.
Both Watkins and Bojorquez detained a 15-year-old girl and attempted to force her to commit acts of prostitution in Oceanside. The girl was able to escape and called her father from an Oceanside bar.
Another 15-year-old girl, who previously worked as a prostitute and had Watkins’ pimp moniker tattooed on her neck, was also found with both men. They had discussed having her work in Imperial Beach, according to court records.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Park asked for the 10-year sentence that Watkins received while his attorney sought a 57-month sentence.
Park cited custodial records that said Watkins was sanctioned nine times for jail violations for refusing work assignments, spitting on an officer, and destruction of a fire sprinkler.
Watkins wrote the judge and asked for a second chance, saying he has completed numerous courses in anger management and other areas while in prison.
