An Athens woman has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after admitting to cyberstalking and threatening two Tennessee couples seeking to adopt children, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal prosecutors said Gabryele Watson posed online as pregnant teenagers in a scheme targeting couples hoping to adopt. Investigators said she used stolen photos, sonograms and personal information taken from real teenagers’ social media accounts to make the false identities appear legitimate.
Authorities said Watson contacted one Tennessee couple through social media, claiming she wanted to place her baby for adoption. Over time, she allegedly manipulated the couple into purchasing baby supplies and remaining available around the clock while repeatedly threatening to cancel the adoption. Prosecutors said she later threatened violence against the family.
Officials said Watson carried out a similar scheme against another Tennessee couple. In addition to her prison sentence, Watson will serve three years of supervised release.
