Football coach indicted on 55 counts for alleged molestation

Leon Watson is accused of molesting four boys. Credit: PPD

A former football coach accused of molesting four young boys and one disabled adult from his Rhawnhurst neighborhood was indicted on 55 counts related to the alleged activity, prosecutors announced.

Leon Watson, 24, was indicted Monday on three counts of rape of a child, three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and various other charges including unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure, trafficking persons and sexual assault, according to the office of District Attorney Seth Williams.

Watson, of the 2400 block of West Diamond Street, was arrested Nov. 10 on charges of molesting two brothers who also lived with him at the time.

At that time, two brothers, ages 8 and 9, whom Watson had reportedly developed a relationship with had recently moved to the home, prosecutors said.

A month later, he was charged of molesting three more minor boys who played football for Watson’s neighborhood team, the Little Vicks, as well as an intellectually disabled adult man.

Prosecutors say the three boys also frequently slept over at Watson’s house, where he sexually assaulted them.

Watson was a part-time football coach for the Rhawnhurst Raiders from August to October of this year, in addition to coaching the Little Vicks.

The DA’s office thinks there may be more victims and is encouraging parents or children who played with the Rhawnhurst Raiders or Little Vicks to come forward by calling 911 or contacting the Special Victim’s Unit at 215-685-3251.

Watson is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24.

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