Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee arrested for child sex crime, police say

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee was arrested Wednesday and is accused of child sex crimes and kidnapping, according to police.

Wilson STEM Academy notified Crimes Against Children detectives Tuesday afternoon that a female student reported being inappropriately touched by a male employee, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

David Lucas, a family engagement advocate at the school, was arrested by CMPD’s Crimes Against Children unit on Wednesday, the police department said in a news statement. Wilson STEM Academy is a 6-8 middle school on Tuckaseegee Road in Charlotte with an enrollment of 367 students.

Lucas, 25, is charged with indecent liberties with a child, taking indecent liberties with a student by a school administrator and first degree kidnapping, according to CMPD.

CMS said in a statement Lucas has been suspended.

“The employee in question has been suspended with pay, pending investigation. It is our understanding that CMPD Crimes Against Children unit is conducting a separate investigation,” said Cassie Fambro, a district spokesperson.

Lucas allegedly prevented the victim from leaving an enclosed area during the assault, a spokesperson with CMPD said. Lucas did not physically force the victim to go anywhere, the spokesperson said, but did prevent the victim from leaving.