PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Child sex abuse survivors gave victim impact statements Friday against a Philadelphia man who mentored them.
Prosecutors say Rodney Watkins, founder of youth skateboarding club Powerfulnailya, groomed and sexually abused children who trusted him to teach them skateboarding. But instead of “teaching them tricks, he tricked them.”
Two survivors spoke about their pain and suffering at an emotional sentencing hearing.
One tearfully told the judge she was 11 years old in the 90s when Watkins invited her to his apartment to watch movies. While there, he gave her hugs and kisses, then made them watch porn together before he sexually assaulted her.
She told the judge she became isolated, angry and anxious and spoke of her lack of trust in others. She says she is now overprotective of her three daughters all because of what he did to her.
Another survivor showed empathy for Watkins’ family, specifically his children, but said he’s glad the truth finally came out.
The defense said as a child Watkins was abused by his mentally ill mother, abandoned by his father and was sexually abused in middle school.
Watkins’ family spoke of the man they know — supportive, loving and encouraging.
Judge Lucretia Clemons told them he can be both a loving father and husband, as well as a nightmare to the survivors, adding that she had no doubt Watkins did what he did.
Watkins pleaded no contest to involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and related sexual assault charges. He will spend 15 to 30 years in prison.