A police officer in Cornelius, South Carolina, who was arrested for child sex-related crimes was also a church youth leader, WSOC-TV reported.
Erickson Douglas Lee reportedly committed his crimes between December 2020 and July 2022, all which took place at his house.
Lee is accused of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor between December 2020 and June 2022. He’s also accused of committing a sex act with a victim less than 16 years old around 30 times in a 1.5-year period.
In July 22, 2022, Lee, who mentored a 17-year-old victim, hurt him through “nonconsensual touching.” Authorities say the victim was intoxicated when the incident happened, and charged Lee with first-degree assault and battery. He’s also accused of playing a pornographic video that same day for a 17-year-old victim at Lee’s home, who investigators say he also mentored as a church youth leader.
He’s also accused of committing sexual battery with a victim who was 14 years old or older, but younger than 16.
Lee was a member of Young Special Forces, which is part of MorningStar Ministries. MorningStar Fellowship Church confirmed Lee was a volunteer at the church, but said he was not a current member at the time of his arrest and hasn’t been associated with the church for months. They added that none of the alleged incidents took place on church property.
In a statement, the church said it “has become aware that a former youth volunteer has been arrested with allegations of criminal sexual misconduct.”
“It does not appear that this individual was a current attending member of MorningStar Fellowship Church. It also does not appear that accusations and violations took place on Church property,” the church said, adding that because of Lee’s military background and law-enforcement career, “there was no initial cause for suspicion.”
“Upon being notified of possible criminal misconduct, MorningStar immediately contacted the York County Sheriff Department, who in turn responded quickly to begin the investigation of the matter,” the church continued. “MorningStar is cooperating fully with law-enforcement. The former youth volunteer has not been associated with MorningStar for several months.”
