A Lee County Public Schools teacher has been arrested on sex crime charges involving students.

ANDREW BRAXTON ALLEN

Andrew Braxton Allen, age 32, was arrested on Nov. 17 and was charged with statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, indecent liberties with a child and sexual activity with a student.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office issued a press statement on Facebook detailing the arrest.

According to the post, the sheriff’s office first received information about inappropriate contact between a teacher and a student at San-Lee Middle School on Nov. 2.

“Through further investigation and the cooperation of the Lee County School System, it was revealed that Allen had numerous inappropriate relationships with several students throughout his tenure, 2012 – 2022, at San Lee Middle School,” according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office post. “Investigators have identified multiple minor children that have been victims of sexual abuse committed by Allen.”

Allen worked at San-Lee Middle School in Lee County from 2012 to 2022.

A Grand Jury indicted Allen on Nov. 14.  and deputies arrested him on Nov. 17.

Allen was taken before the Lee County Magistrate, where he received a $250,000.00 secured bond. He was booked into the Lee County Jail and was transferred to the Central Prison in Raleigh.

In his first hearing before District Court Judge Mary Wells on Nov. 18, Allen’s bond was raised to $2 million.

The investigation is still ongoing and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that any parents that had students that were taught by Andrew Braxton Allen during his tenure at San-Lee Middle School to speak with their children about any possible inappropriate conduct.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with additional information to call 919-775-5531.

Allen had been suspended with pay on Nov. 2 and resigned from his job on Nov. 6 according to a statement by the Lee County Board of Education.

Allen’s quick resignation is in violation of a state statute requiring 30-days’ notice. The same statute requires the Lee County superintendent to report Allen’s resignation to the state board of education as it is linked to alleged criminal activity.

Allen holds an active NC teaching license in the areas of Mathematics 6-9 and Social Studies 6-9. Unless revoked, that license will expire in June 2025.

According to records on file with the state’s department of corrections, Allen has a previous arrest in 2010 for possession of a schedule VI substance and possession of a malt beverage by someone under the age of 21. That record also shows Allen has apparently used the name Edward instead of Braxton as a middle name.