N. Phila. youth football coach held on sex charges

A North Philadelphia man has been charged with sexually assaulting two young boys and is suspected of molesting others he coached in youth football, the District Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Leon Watson, 24, of the 2400 block of West Diamond Street, was being held on charges of rape, involuntary deviant sexual assault, false imprisonment, and related offenses involving two brothers, ages 8 and 9. Bail was set at $500,000.

"He was always with kids," said Tasha Smith, 24, who lives on the block. "All summer, he would have a bunch of kids" at his house.

Marcella Frisby, 29, who has two sons, ages 12 and 5, said Watson had asked if her boys could play on his football team. She declined.

"I didn't think he was weird and harming these kids," she said, but she was concerned about the boys in his house who appeared never to go to school.

Prosecutors said Watson had formed a relationship with the brothers, then assaulted them. The boys began living with Watson in October.

He was arrested Sunday after an anonymous tip led authorities to his home, prosecutors said.

There was no answer Thursday at the door of the house where neighbors said Watson lived.

From August until October, Watson was a part-time coach for the Rhawnhurst Raiders football team. He also formed his own neighborhood team called the Little Vicks.

Prosecutors ask parents of children involved with the Rhawnhurst Raiders or the Little Vicks to talk to their children.

Authorities also ask that anyone with information about Watson call 911 or the police Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.

A preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 25.