Pastor accused of child sex crimes worked at Union Co. schools

UNION COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - A Union County pastor charged with sex crimes against children reportedly worked for Union County Schools when the accused assault happened. Investigators are working to see if there are more potential victims.

Ahmed Lee, 36, is charged with indecent liberties with a child and assault on child under 12. Investigators said both charges stem from an alleged assault that occurred in 2014, when the victim was 11 years old.

According to the Union County School District, Lee worked with the district until 2015.

School district officials say he was hired in December 2013 as an After School Program Group Leader. He resigned from the district in August 2015. He was not a teacher at a school.

Because of Lee's involvement with children, the Monroe Police Department told WBTV that it is very possible that more victims will come forward.

"You typically do see it when you have a person in a position of authority or a position like that," said Public Information Officer, Pete Hovanec. "If there is one incident, there is a greater likelihood that there are other incidents."

Lee is also the pastor of "Judah House of Praise International World Ministries," which officials say meets at the Jamison Inn in Monroe. Officers said that the victim's family attended the church, and that the alleged assault occurred at Lee's home.

RELATED: Monroe pastor charged with indecent liberties with a child

WBTV spoke with the alleged victim's mother who said the incident happened when Lee invited the family over for lunch after church one Sunday. According to the woman, Lee quietly sexually assaulted her son in the bathroom, while the child's grandmother sat in the other room.

The mother says her son kept everything a secret until about a month ago. The woman didn't want to speak on camera, but she did ask WBTV to share the following message:

"Darkness will come to light and I hope that with bringing this corrupt behavior to the light will help others who may have been hurt will come forward."

Police say they are still investigating Lee. Again, they are trying to determine if there are any other possible victims.

"If we get justice now, it can help soften it as these individuals get older," Hovanec said. "If something happens to a youngster, they are carrying that with them for the rest of their lives and we just want justice."

Lee was taken to the Union County Jail where he was placed under a $20,000 bond.

Copyright 2016 WBTV. All rights reserved.