Charlotte charter school bus driver fired, charged with sex offenses with minors
A Sugar Creek Charter School bus driver was fired after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct with four teenagers, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police lieutenant said Tuesday.
Leetwain Darrell Tate, 48, was charged Tuesday with two counts of statutory rape, six counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and one count of statutory sex offense, Lt. Corey Geohagan said at a press conference.
Geohagan said the four minors were ages 14 and 15. Not all four reported the offenses, he said.
“Fear, shame or threats of an abuser keep the victim silent, meaning there’s always a chance that more victims are suffering,” Geohagan said. “ At this time, detectives have information that indicates there may be other juvenile victims.”
Tate, also known as “Sharon” or “Ms. Sharon,” told police she came in contact with the minors “through their personal life,” Geohagan said.
He declined to say if any of the minors were related to Tate or randomly known. He also declined to say where the offenses occurred, but said they did not happen on school grounds or while Tate operated a bus.
Tate was initially suspended during the investigation and then fired on Sept. 29, Geohagan said.
A police affidavit filed in court said a parent reported her child was sexually assaulted by Tate on Sept. 16.
“It was reported that several boys has been staying with Leetwain” and “perform sexual acts on her at her residence,” the affidavit said.
In a letter to families about the allegations, Sugar Creek Charter School Superintendent Celeste Sundo said Tate met all of the necessary background requirements to get hired.
“All Sugar Creek Charter School candidates undergo a multi-step hiring process, including a national background check and reference checks, before an offer of employment is made,” Sundo said.
Counselors were available for students and staff, Sundo said, and the school was cooperating with police in the investigation.
“The safety and well-being of our students are taken with the utmost priority, and we are deeply saddened and concerned by these charges,” Sundo said. “We are disturbed by the impact this incident has on the victim, the family, and our school community.”
Geohagan said any other potential other victims can contact Detective King, the lead investigator, at 704-336-7495 or Pat’s Place Advocacy Center at 704-335-2760. Pat’s Place is a local nonprofit that provides services to families of children who have suffered child abuse.
Tate is being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County jail.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM.
