Former youth football coach arrested on more sex-abuse charges

LEON WATSON, the part-time youth football coach arrested last month for allegedly sexually assaulting two young brothers, has even more explaining to do.

Yesterday, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office arrested the North Philadelphia man anew, charging him with sexually assaulting three more boys and a mentally slow adult man.

Watson, 24, of Diamond Street near 24th, was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault in connection to the latest four alleged victims. The three boys played for his team, prosecutors said.

Last month, Watson was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, indecent exposure, indecent assault and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the two brothers, who are 8 and 9 years old and briefly lived at Watson's home.

The accused man was a part-time coach for the Rhawnhurst Raiders football team and started his own team, the Little Vicks, according to the D.A.'s office.

The three minors in the latest arrest frequently slept at Watson's house and were assaulted there, prosecutors said.

An anonymous tip led authorities to Watson, who was arrested Nov. 10 and held on $500,000 bail. That bail was revoked Nov. 25, according to court records.

Watson is being held on $1 million bail in the latest arrest. His preliminary hearing in Family Court is scheduled for Jan. 8, court records indicate.

The D.A.'s office urged parents involved with the Rhawnhurst Raiders or Little Vicks football teams to speak with their children about Watson because the investigation into his alleged actions is ongoing.

Those with information about Watson should call 9-1-1 or contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685- 3251.

To report any sexual abuse, the public is asked to call the D.A.'s office at 215-686-8019 or email da.victimservices@phila.gov.