CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On May 26, 2016, Corrie Gillispie, a.k.a., Tyme, BiggtymeChattanoogatyme, and Profit Tyme, 40, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Willie Watkins, a.k.a., Block Baker, Soldier, and Killer, 40, also of Chattanooga, were arrested by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Chattanooga Police Department, on charges involving conspiracy, kidnapping, and sex trafficking.
On May 17, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Gillispie and Watkins for the above-referenced charges. Details of the offenses are outlined in the indictment, which is on file with the U.S. District Court and available to the public.
On May 27, 2016, Gillispie and Watkins had initial appearances before the Honorable Christopher H. Steger, U.S. Magistrate Judge, and both pleaded not guilty. Both were detained pending their next appearance in U.S. District Court, which for Gillispie is a detention hearing on May 31, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Watkins waived his detention hearing and no further court appearances have been scheduled for him at this time.
If convicted of kidnapping, Gillispie and Watkins face up to life in prison. If convicted of sex trafficking, Gillispie faces a term of not less than 15 years in prison and will be placed on the sex offender registry for a minimum of 25 years.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the HSI, FBI and Chattanooga Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Woods represents the United States.
Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you believe you have information that could assist law enforcement in this ongoing investigation, please call the HSI tip line at 866-347-2423.
###