A federal jury convicted a 29-year-old Tampa man Wednesday of plotting to firebomb a Bradenton lingerie modeling agency.
Pele LaCruz Watkins was found guilty on a charge of solicitation to commit a crime of violence, specifically arson of an occupied building, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.
Authorities say Watkins solicited the help of an undercover federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who posed as a contract killer from New York, on at least two occasions. He asked the agent to place at least two explosive devices with timers at Cupids, 1471 Cortez Road, in October.
Watkins provided a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun to the undercover agent as a down payment, and promised to pay him a total of $3,000, the release stated.
Watkins was originally arrested on four charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; attempting to maliciously damage or destroy, by means of fire or an explosive device, a lingerie modeling club in Bradenton; and solicitation to commit a crime of violence, Herald archives show.
In addition to the solicitation charge, Watkins was also convicted Wednesday on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He could face up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $175,000, the release stated.
A sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 28.
A message for Cupids' owner Asa Elliott was not returned Wednesday afternoon. The investigation and evidence presented at the trial showed that Watkins' plan could have endangered the lives of more than 20 people.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Steve Cole said his office was pleased with Wednesday's outcome.
"These agents likely saved more than a dozen lives had he gone through with this plot," Cole said.
According to filings with the state's Division of Corporations, Watkins apparently owned the Bradenton store at some point between 1998 and 1999, which was licensed as Lingerie Fantasies Inc., Herald archives show.
Cole said Watkins owned a store called Just Girls, in Tampa.
Special Agent Carlos Baixauli, with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said these cases aren't too common.
"This is the first time I've come across this," he said.
While Baixauli said he doesn't know whether Watkins was serious about his plan, he said the agency had to take him seriously.
"Anytime we can prevent this sort of violent crime, we're hitting a home run," he said.
Distributed by the Associated Press
