MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — New details have emerged in the case of a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools worker charged with sexually assaulting a student.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said CMPD school resource officers at Wilson STEM Academy notified CMPD's Crimes Against Children unit Tuesday afternoon that a girl had reported being inappropriately touched by a school employee.
The victim, who is 13 years old, told officers David Lucas, 25, approached her after lunch and said she had pretty eyes. He then took her into a back office where the alleged assault occurred, according to details revealed during a court appearance Thursday. The district attorney alleged that Lucas made multiple attempts to take the victim out of class before the assault.
Officers took Lucas into custody on Wednesday.
Lucas, who is employed by CMS as a Family/School Advocate (FSA), was charged with indecent liberties with a child, taking indecent liberties with a student by a school administrator, and first-degree kidnapping. During a court appearance Thursday, a judge raised Lucas' bond from $75,000 per count to $150,000 per count, bringing his total bond to $450,000.
A CMS website shows an FSA works with administrators, teachers, and staff within a Title I school to reach families in various ways. The district said he is suspended with pay. According to officials, Lucas was hired on Jan. 17 just three weeks before his arrest.
"The employee in question has been suspended with pay, pending investigation," CMS said in a statement. "It is our understanding that CMPD Crimes Against Children unit is conducting a separate investigation."
Social media sites show Lucas also considers himself a "motivational speaker" and "special education expert." An Instagram page and Facebook page named "David E Lucas Speaks" advertise mentoring and coaching services.
A YouTube page of the same title calls Lucas a "critically acclaimed author, World-renowned speaker, educator and Minster [sic]." The page says Lucas speaks about his experiences growing up with a learning disability.
Another Instagram page linked to Lucas's website is called "BE Exceptional Academy," which claims to offer "fundamental online courses, private coaching sessions, and learning workshops." WCNC Charlotte was unable to find records of the academy other than its Instagram page.
WCNC Charlotte learned from someone with knowledge of the alleged sex crime incident that once the student reported it to school officials, law enforcement was called and the investigation started.
This comes as new Title IX protocols were enacted at CMS in light of a slew of accusations the district did not properly handle allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in the past.
Title IX requires schools to adopt and publish grievance procedures for students to file complaints of sex discrimination, including complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence. Federal law requires investigations into these claims to be prompt and equitable resolutions.
In January, a federal jury ruled CMS did not violate the Title IX rights of a former student. CMS is still facing pending civil lawsuits regarding possible Title IX violations.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Adams at 704-432-0547 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.