Personal Life
In December 2009, Watts was detained at the US/Canadian border by American border guards performing a reportedly random search of the rental vehicle he was driving. Watts is alleged to have assaulted a Customs Officer and was turned over to local authorities to face charges. According to a border patrol officer, the authorities used pepper spray to subdue Watts after Watts became aggressive toward officers. According to Watts, he was assaulted, punched in the face, pepper-sprayed and thrown in jail for the night. A jury found Watts guilty of obstructing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. He faced a maximum sentence of two years in prison. In April 2010 he was given a suspended sentence, and a fine. However, due to immigration laws, Watts' felony conviction prevents him from re-entering the United States.
In February 2011, he contracted the rare disease necrotizing fasciitis in his leg, which he has blogged about on his website.
He married fellow author Caitlin Sweet in August 2011.
Read more about this topic: Peter Watts (author)
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