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accused of sex with teen

In November, men he robbed beat him badly, authorities say. On Wednesday, he was already in jail on a burglary charge.

By VANESSA DE LA TORRE
Published May 13, 2006

LARGO - A man beaten with a fireplace poker last year after allegedly robbing his attackers is in trouble again in connection with a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, authorities said.

Anthony Leggins, 19, of Largo was charged Wednesday with three felony counts of lewd and lascivious sexual battery, along with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Largo police Officer Marcus Elam.

The victim, now 15, was apparently Leggins' girlfriend, Elam said.

In March, Elam arrested Leggins on charges of felony burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property. Largo police had considered Leggins a person of interest in alleged drug dealing around an apartment complex on East Bay Drive, Elam said, with residents coming forward to offer information on the New Jersey native they considered to be "a menace."

Leggins is now under investigation for possible sexual abuse involving two 12-year-olds, Elam said. He was already being held in the Pinellas County Jail in the March burglary when police added the sex counts. His bail is set at $67,000.

Last November, Leggins was hospitalized with head and rib injuries after authorities say he robbed three Largo men of cash and cell phones while pointing a gun at them. Two of the men sought revenge later that day, entering Leggins' home while he was asleep and attacking him with a fireplace poker.

The alleged attackers were arrested. Leggins, while treated at Largo Medical Center, confessed to the robbery, the Sheriff's Office said. Within a week, he was arrested in a second armed robbery involving a crack cocaine deal gone bad, authorities said.

Both cases were referred to the State Attorney's Office.

[Last modified May 13, 2006, 02:30:25]