A male North Carolina school bus driver who identifies as a woman and calls himself “Ms. Sharon” was arrested last week and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse against minors.
Leetwain Darrell Tate, 48, was arrested in an investigation involving juveniles ages 14 to 15 on Tuesday. He goes by “Sharon” or “Ms. Sharon” and has victimized at least four children, even offering at least one money for sexual acts, according to an arrest affidavit.
Per the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Tate is charged with two counts of statutory rape, six counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and one count of statutory sex offense.
Tate is now in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
More from WCNC:
Tate’s family, who was present at the courthouse Wednesday, told WCNC Charlotte they believe Tate is innocent.
Tate was previously employed as a school bus driver at Sugar Creek Charter School. The school suspended Tate during the investigation and terminated Tate from employment on Sunday, according to police.
Preliminary information indicates the incidents did not occur on school property or while Tate was operating a school bus, police said.
An arrest affidavit reviewed by WCNC Charlotte indicates there were at least four victims, with several boys staying at Tate’s residence. At least one reported being offered money for sexual acts.
“It’s pretty disturbing that it is so close to home and you are just shocked,” a local resident, Tony Sanders, told the outlet.
“To me it’s a shame… 14, 15 years old can be so impressionable at that age. To think someone would take advantage of that is very alarming.”
The school said in a statement that Tate “met all requirements necessary to fulfill the position” at the time of hiring.
But some parents are now questioning the school’s background check process.
