South Carolina Man Sentenced to Life in Prison After Third Drug Conviction

By Brian Cole

Published on July 06, 2006

Bobby Lee Watson’s two prior drug charges were in 1997. Both of them resulted in probation for Watson, 31. Federal prosecutors said the two prior drug convictions sealed Watson’s fate once he was convicted of his third felony: intent to distribute crack-cocaine.

According to South Carolina state law, once a defendant receives his or her third state or federal drug conviction, they face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert said defendants like Watson, “who do not receive active prison sentences for their state felony convictions are not out of the woods."

These defendants can expect to receive a substantial mandatory sentence if convicted of their third felony, she added.

Watson’s attorney, Cecilia Oseguera, declined to comment because an appeal is pending.

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