Tennis pro at Lake Norman private sports club arrested on child sex charges
A tennis professional at a Lake Norman-area private sports club has been arrested and charged with child sex crimes, according to court records and an email sent out by the club.
Court records say the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office charged Stephen Montgomery Kerlew, 64, on Friday with three counts of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory sex offense with a child who is 15 or younger, and other charges.
Kerlew used to work at Westport Swim & Tennis Club in Denver, according to an email the club sent out to members on Monday morning.
“Upon consulting with legal counsel, we promptly removed him from his position and prohibited him from entering the premises,” the email said. “He will not return in any capacity. The Club has been in contact with law enforcement and will continue to provide assistance as needed.”
The Charlotte Observer has reached out to the club’s owner.
Kerlew appeared in court Monday morning. A judge denied him bond and ordered that he give fingerprints and a DNA sample, according to records. Those records also said that Kerlew waived his right to assigned counsel.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 12:22 PM.