Man accused of sexual crimes against child headed for trial

A Maricopa man facing child sex abuse charges looks headed for a criminal trial. 

Edward C. Watts, 58, was charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after his arrest in September. He was released on a $250,000 bond in October and is scheduled to be back in Pinal Superior Court Aug. 8 for a pretrial conference. 

According to Maricopa police, the alleged victim told her mother she had been abused by Watts for an extended period. 

Through their investigation, which included interviews with the victim, police concluded Watts sexually abused the minor and took pictures of the incidents with his cellphone and that the abuse occurred for 2-3 years. 

According to police documents, the victim’s mother reported the alleged abuse to police Sept. 24. Watts was arrested Sept. 29. 

According to a probable cause statement, Watts, after being advised of his Miranda rights, admitted to helping the victim with a vaginal irritation that required a special lotion to treat, and that he took photos of her before and after treatment. 

Police say in the same confession Watts admitted to taking pictures of the victim while she was in the bath. He also shared he sleeps naked and she would get in bed with him and would inadvertently touch his penis. He also admitted to an instance where he placed his erect penis in the victim’s hand. Watts denied ever having intercourse with the victim.