Colbert Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Crimes

COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – A Muscle Shoals man facing numerous rape and sexual abuse charges has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

According to court documents, 41-year-old Melvin Leon Watson Jr. has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual-related crimes and ordered to serve 25-years in prison.

Watson’s trial was set to begin Monday and he faced an 11-count indictment.

Colbert County Sheriff’s investigators say DNA tests from a one-year-old child provided evidence that sexual assaults had happened against a teenage girl.

Investigators say the assaults allegedly happened over a four year period. 

Melvin Watson has remained in custody since his arrest in May of 2012.