A now-former Lee County Public Schools teacher is facing multiple felonies involving minors.

FRANK MAURICIO DE LEON

Name: Frank Mauricio De Leon
Age: 56
Charge(s): 1 count indecent liberties with a minor (Class G Felony), 3 counts felony secret peeping (Either Class I or Class H) and 1 count second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor (Class E Felony)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: 5-9-24
Bond Details: $250,000 secured. Unposted as of 5-10-24. De Leon is in the Lee County Jail.

Victim /Case Details: 

[Via Lee County Sheriff on Facebook]

Lee County Teacher charged with Indecent Liberties with a Minor, Felony Secret Peeping (3 Counts), and Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
In April 2024, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student, which had occurred at Lee County High School.
The teacher was identified as Frank Mauricio De Leon, age 56 of Hickory Ave, Sanford, NC.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the De Leon residence, where items of evidence were seized. Upon further investigation and with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Computer Crimes Unit, evidence of numerous unrelated criminal offenses were located.
On May 9, 2024, Investigators arrested De Leon for Indecent Liberties with a Minor, Felony Secret Peeping (3 Counts), and Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
De Leon was taken before Lee County Magistrate and placed in the Lee County Jail under a $250,000 secured bond.
I have been directly and indirectly involved in many investigations throughout my career. These types of crimes are the absolute toughest on our investigators, the victims, and their families.
My office will exhaust every ounce of effort, targeting these predators to keep them out of OUR community.
– Sheriff Brian Estes

District: Lee County
Current Role: English as a Second Language teacher, Lee County High School. Note: As of May 10, De Leon was removed from the staff list on the school’s website.

History:  De Leon’s LinkedIn Profile lists him as having previously worked in Harnett County Public Schools.

Employment status: Lee County Schools said through a spokesperson that  De Leon is “no longer employed” with the district.

Statement from District: No official statement has yet been released by the district.

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1198172
Name: De Leon, Frank Mauricio
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 08/17/2021
License Area(s): English as a Second Language K-12