A long-time Moore County Public Schools teacher faces multiple charges in connection with the sexual assault of a minor child.

ALBERT JOSEPH LEE JR.

Albert Joseph Lee, Jr., age 64, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on July 19. Lee was charged with two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a student and two counts of sexual battery.

Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced the arrest in a Facebook post.

“On July 13, 2023, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sexual assault on a minor by a Moore County Schools teacher. Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed ongoing personal communications between the adult and minor over a period of several months,” Fields’ post says.

Per the Moore sheriff, Lee was issued a $175,000 secured bond and is currently being held at the Moore County Detention Center. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 16.

Lee teaches at West Pine Middle School and has been employed with the district for 24 years.  Per the district, he is suspended with pay pending an investigation.

Moore County Public Schools Interim Communications Director Charlie Batchelor issued the following statement at around 7 p.m. on July 19:

Albert Lee Jr., West Pine Middle School Teacher, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Department at approximately 2:40 p.m. today.
Mr. Lee, 64, is being charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors according to the Moore County Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Lee has worked at Moore County Schools for almost 24 years and was suspended with pay following his arrest, pending further investigation.
As always, safety is a top priority for Moore County Schools and we will continue to cooperate with the on-going investigation.

Lee has an active teaching license on file with the state in the areas of “Academically or Intellectually Gifted,” and “Social Studies 6-9.” The license was issued in July 2019 with an expiration date of June 30, 2024. The license was suspended and later revoked.

Updates: 

Lee was convicted on April 22, 2024, of sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a student. He was given 18 months probation for each offense to be served concurrently and was also required to register as a sex offender.

His teaching license was revoked.