An inmate at the Silverdale correctional facility has been charged with assault and sexual battery after he allegedly threatened and groped his cellmate.
The victim told staff he was assaulted by Leonard Watts, 46, who confronted him around 7 p.m. on Oct. 12, according to court documents. Watts told the victim he had been told to beat him down, but the victim said he didn’t want to fight. Watts then said there was a second option – the victim could have sex with him – but the victim said he didn’t want to do that either, according to court documents.
The man said Watts then pushed him against a wall and reached his hand into his underpants, groping the victim’s buttocks. The victim began to yell, causing Watts to stop, but Watts said if he reported it he would hurt the man and sexually assault him again.
Watts has an extensive record of charges in Hamilton County including theft, burglary and assault, according to online records. He is next scheduled to appear before General Sessions Judge Gary Starnes on Jan. 22.
The incident comes several months after another inmate was charged with sexual battery after he allegedly assaulted his cellmate at the time. The victim in that case said Titus Heard, 28, started making sexual advances toward him after he was placed in his cell on June 12. He said Heard told him he looked like the rapper Nicki Minaj.