Gabryele “Gabby” Watson, a 29-year-old woman from Athens, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to cyberstalking and threats. The announcement was made by Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
"The defendant’s callous actions and complete disregard for the families she victimized was not only disturbing, it was also a violation of federal law," said McGuire. "We will aggressively seek to vindicate the rights of caring people who simply wanted to adopt, love and raise a baby and, instead, were heartlessly victimized by the defendant."
Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office commented on the impact of cyberstalking. "The devastating effects of cyberstalking cannot be understated, and I hope the victims can find some closure to the nightmares they endured during Gabby Watson’s relentless reign of harassment," he said.
Watson's activities spanned from May to June 2023. She targeted a married couple in Tennessee who were trying to adopt a child by impersonating a pregnant teenager from Pennsylvania. Using details obtained from social media posts, Watson convinced them that they would be able to adopt her baby.
She later used similar tactics with another couple in Tennessee while pretending to be an 18-year-old pregnant with twins in Arkansas. In both cases, she threatened harm if her demands were not met.
Watson is set for sentencing on January 9, 2026. She faces up to five years in prison for each count in the indictment and significant fines.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Nashville Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison is prosecuting with help from the Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
