CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There are disturbing developments int two cases of sex offenders at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
In the latest case last Friday, police said a sex offender was on campus at Barringer Academic Center. It’s the second time a sex offender was stopped at the elementary school in the past year; the previous incident happened in October 2018.
“I’d definitely say it’s uncomfortable, definitely uncomfortable,” a parent previously told NBC Charlotte.
The new investigation at Barringer Academic Center came just weeks after an alarming case at Independence High School where police arrested a different sex offender on campus. NBC Charlotte learned that suspect had just been arrested on a sex charge about a month earlier.
Less than a month before a sex offender was stopped at Independence High School on September 26, jail records showed he had just been arrested for a sex crime. Xavier Farmer, 21, was facing a charge of indecent liberties with a child when police said he wandered onto the campus where students were in class.
These events are highlighting the importance of safeguards at CMS schools.
Last year, a new LobbyGuard station at Park Road Montessori stopped a sex offender. The man who was part of a contract crew scanned his ID, and within seconds, the school stopped the contractor and called police.
“It is instantly run against the registered sex offender list,” CMS spokesman Tracy Russ previously said. “We have a lot of contractors on campuses, a lot of work to be done every day, so we're thankful that the system's working, that it's keeping students and staff safe.”
NBC Charlotte found Farmer has a long history of arrests, including a previous sexual battery charge in February. He’s being held in the Mecklenburg County jail on a $28,000 bond.
NBC Charlotte reached out to CMS about the latest case at Barringer Academic Center to see how the sex offender made it onto campus and if an arrest was made. Officials sent us the message that went out to parents:
Good afternoon Barringer Academic Center families. This is Principal Range calling to inform you about an incident in which a registered sex offender was on our campus to pick up a relative. The safety and security of all students and staff is extremely important to me and my staff. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police Department is investigating the case and the individual has been arrested. No students or staff were harmed. This is an active investigation and I cannot provide any further information while it is being investigated. Thank you for your involvement at Barringer Academic Center.
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