Image sources: Google Street View of Sugar Creek Charter School J. Frank Martin High School Campus, © Google, via Google Maps. Mugshot of Leetwain Darrell Tate, courtesy of Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
A former Sugar Creek Charter School bus driver has been charged with multiple child sex crimes.
Authorities have arrested Leetwain Darrell Tate, 48, for allegedly sexually abusing four boys between the ages of 14 and 15.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Tate also goes by “Sharon” or “Ms. Sharon.”
Allegations in the Affidavit
According to the criminal affidavit, officers responded to a call for service on September 16, 2025. One victim’s mother reported that her child had been sexually assaulted by Tate. Police noted that multiple boys had been reportedly staying in Tate’s home, where the abuse is alleged to have occurred.
During the investigation, several additional victims disclosed sexual abuse by Tate, and digital evidence from Tate’s phone corroborated their accounts.
Ultimately, investigators identified four victims, all boys between the ages of 14 and 15, who were allegedly abused by Tate. One victim told police that Tate offered him “a lot of money” to continue the abuse, according to the affidavit.
Criminal Charges Against Tate
Tate was arrested on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Court records show that Tate has been charged with nine felony counts: six counts of indecent liberties with a child, two counts of statutory rape of a child 15 or younger, and one count of statutory sex offense with a child 15 or younger.
She made her first court appearance on Wednesday, October 1, at which time a public defender was appointed to represent her. Tate remains in custody on a $1 million bond. Her next court date is set for October 16, 2025.
According to WCNC Charlotte, Tate’s family believe in her innocence.
School Response and Background Check Concerns
According to the police press release, “Tate was previously employed as a school bus driver at Sugar Creek Charter School. Tate was suspended by the school during the investigation and officially terminated on Sept. 29. Preliminary information indicates that these incidents did not occur on school property or while Tate was operating a school bus.” (Charlottenc.gov)
WSOC-TV reported, “The principal told parents the crimes involved students.”
At a press conference, Lt. Corey Geohagan told a reporter that Tate came into contact with victims “through their personal life.” He “declined to say if any of the minors were related to Tate or randomly known.” (The Charlotte Observer)
The school superintendent told parents in a letter, “there is no indication from [police] that any students beyond those directly involved in the investigation are affected.”
You can read the entire letter to parents here.
One parent expressed alarm and frustration with the school. “‘What extent of a background are they doing on these people that are working with my children and other children?’” one parent told WSOC-TV.
Public records indicate Tate had previously been arrested in 2007 on six felony charges: three counts of identity theft and three counts of insurance fraud. It is not clear how that case was resolved.
The fact that she was later employed in a school setting raises important questions about whether current background check procedures are sufficient to detect past arrests and adequately protect students.
Resources and Reporting
According to The Charlotte Observer, Lt. Geohagan said during the press conference, “‘Fear, shame or threats of an abuser keep the victim silent, meaning there’s always a chance that more victims are suffering…At this time, detectives have information that indicates there may be other juvenile victims.’”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department urged victims to come forward.
“Anyone who may have been a victim regardless of the date of the incident is urged to contact Detective King at 704-336-7495. Any person with additional information about this case can submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers P3 Tips Mobile App or by visiting the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website. Individuals can also reach out to Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center at 704-335-2760 for additional support and resources.”
According to their website, “Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center is a safe, child-friendly facility where children and their families receive the help they need to move forward after experiencing abuse.”
Civil Justice for Survivors
While the criminal justice system will determine whether Tate is convicted and sentenced under North Carolina law, criminal proceedings cannot provide long-term healing or support to survivors.
In this case, Sugar Creek Charter School could face scrutiny over its hiring and supervision practices. Even if the abuse occurred away from school grounds or a school bus, Tate’s employment as a bus driver placed her in regular contact with students and positioned her as a trusted adult in the school community. That relationship of trust may have allowed her to gain access to the victims.
Civil lawsuits allow survivors and their families to hold negligent institutions accountable and to seek compensation for recovery costs such as therapy, medical care, and educational support. They also play a critical role in driving schools and youth-serving organizations to improve background checks, hiring practices, and safeguards to better protect children.
Contact Us
At Andreozzi + Foote, we are dedicated to standing with survivors of sexual abuse and holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect children.
Our team has decades of experience representing survivors nationwide, and we approach every case with compassion and a commitment to justice.
If you or your child was harmed by Leetwain Darrell Tate or another adult in a position of trust, know that you are not alone. Speaking out can feel overwhelming at first, but it can also be a powerful step toward healing.
We offer free, completely confidential consultations, and there is no obligation to move forward with civil action unless and until you are ready.
Call us today at 866-311-8640 or fill out our contact form.
