In 2000, 22-year-old aspiring singer and model Molly Skye Brown participated in an MTV event as a prearranged participant, intended to sing with the Backstreet Boys during a “Say What? Karaoke” segment. At this event, she met Dargan Birchmore Watts Jr., owner of The Birchmore Group in Orlando, Florida, who presented himself as a talent manager interested in discussing potential opportunities. Trusting his professional demeanor, Brown agreed to a business dinner. However, during this meeting, Watts allegedly abducted her, took her to his home, and sexually assaulted her.
In the emotionally chaotic aftermath of the assault, Brown, seeking to cleanse herself of the traumatic experience, immediately showered upon getting home. Later, she learned that showering can eliminate crucial forensic evidence, which left her feeling distraught and nervous about reporting the incident without biological physical proof.
The trauma from this event led to severe PTSD symptoms, forcing Brown to lose her college education. On the anniversary of the assault, she sought help at a hospital due to suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately, the hospital staff did not assist her in reporting the assault, leaving her feeling unsupported and further isolated.
In a separate incident, Brown met Lisa Villeneuve while at the hospital, who presented herself as a friend but was later identified as a recruiter for Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Donald Trump. Villeneuve attempted to recruit Brown into providing “Girlfriend Experiences,” a term often associated with high-end escort services. Recognizing the predatory nature of this proposition, Brown declined after being duped into meeting two elite “Johns,” Kurt Schmidt and Billy Collins.
Years later, in September 2020, empowered by the #MeToo movement and a personal resolve to confront her past, Brown reached out to Watts via Facebook Messenger, confronting him about the alleged assault. Receiving no response, she chose to share her story publicly, aiming to shed light on the abuse she endured. In retaliation, Watts initiated a lawsuit against her, seeking over $100,000 in damages. Undeterred, Brown launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover her legal expenses and continued to advocate for survivors’ rights.
A pivotal factor in Brown’s ongoing success has been the support from the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. Established to assist individuals facing workplace sexual harassment and related retaliation, the fund provides financial backing and media support to those seeking justice. Their involvement has bolstered Brown’s legal efforts, enabling her to effectively counter the defamation claims and maintain her advocacy.
In October 2024, Brown took a significant step in her pursuit of justice by retaining attorney Tony Buzbee to represent her in a case against another high-profile individual who allegedly assaulted her in the presence of witnesses. Buzbee, known for his work in high-profile legal cases, brings substantial experience to Brown’s legal team.
Brown expressed her gratitude and relief, stating, “God is so good! God said to SPEAK and He has made a way where there was NONE.” She remains committed to her advocacy work, aiming to support other survivors and push for legislative changes to eliminate statutes of limitations for rape crimes.
This ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of supporting survivors and protecting free speech, especially when it involves exposing alleged misconduct. Brown’s courage in sharing her story and confronting her alleged abuser has not only brought her personal vindication but also inspired many others to speak out. Her case highlights the critical need for societal support of survivors and the ongoing fight against sexual violence.
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