Fitness influencer pleads guilty in violent gym attack after beating man with weightlifting belt
Social media fitness influencer Wes Watson pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated battery in connection with a confrontation at a Miami-Dade County gym, resolving the case ahead of sentencing later this month.
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Watson, 42, entered the plea in Miami-Dade County court as part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors. Under the deal, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 21 months in prison, including credit for time already served, followed by seven years of probation and court-ordered mental health treatment.
He is scheduled to be sentenced July 17.
Watson, a former prison inmate who built a large online following as a fitness influencer and motivational personality after his release, was charged after a Dec. 29, 2024, altercation at Elevation Fitness in Miami-Dade County.
He has amassed millions of followers across social media, where he shares content focused on fitness, discipline, entrepreneurship and his life after prison.
According to an arrest affidavit, Watson told responding officers he was working out when the victim approached him and said he wanted to fight. Investigators said surveillance footage showed Watson striking the man with a weightlifting belt during the confrontation.
During Thursday's hearing, Watson's attorney argued the circumstances surrounding the incident were unusual, saying the alleged victim intentionally sought out his client because of Watson's online notoriety.
"There's been a lot that's been argued in this case about stand your ground," defense attorney Eric Clayman said, according to Local 10.
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"What's unique is you have an alleged victim that sought somebody out because of his presence online. This guy bought a plane ticket, came through New Jersey, showed up at the gym for the sole purpose of confronting Mr. Watson. That turned into something else."
The Miami-Dade case is separate from multiple pending felony cases Watson faces in neighboring Broward County. Prosecutors there have charged him with felony battery, aggravated assault, witness tampering and charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend. Those charges remain pending.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment.
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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