District Attorney Brenda F. Mitchell announced today that Cortez Watts was sentenced to a 75-year sentence for Conspiracy, Attempted Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
In October of 2016, Tunica County Sheriff’s Department responded to an apartment complex in reference to a shooting. One individual had been shot and another injured. Deputies learned that two non-residents, who were visiting the area to enjoy the local casinos, were lured to the apartment complex by Watts and two accomplices in an attempt to rob the individuals of their casino winnings. Once the victims refused to give up their belongings, the perpetrator shot one victim and attempted to shoot the other.
Watts requested a severance to stand trial separate from his co-conspirators, and the request was granted. Watts was found guilty and sentenced to 75 years. The co-defendants will stand trial at a later date.