What new report says about Orange County educator accused of sex crimes
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lesli Lambeth Bryant, 37, is charged with sexual exploitation and indecent liberties.
- Investigators allege Bryant sent nude photos to students at Orange High School.
- Bryant worked as a guidance counselor at the school until her resignation in June.
A former Orange High School counselor accused of inappropriate interactions with students allegedly preyed on multiple former and current students.
Lesli Lambeth Bryant, 37, is charged with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of indecent liberties with students, The News & Observer reported last week. Bryant resigned last month after being suspended with pay, according to a school system spokesperson.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Office incident report released to The N&O indicates the high school’s assistant principal reported the allegations to a school resource officer June 4. A teacher had alerted administrators about “a possible student-teacher relationship” after a student told them Bryant was allegedly sending nude photos to another student, the report states.
When the assistant principal investigated, he allegedly discovered Bryant had been sending naked photos to at least two students, according to the incident report’s narrative. At least one of the students told police and the assistant principal that Bryant had sent him inappropriate pictures and messages on Snapchat, the narrative states.
Bryant wasn’t at work June 4, but administrators told investigators they’d meet with her the next day, the incident report says. A sheriff’s deputy seized Bryant’s cellphone the next day.
“During the process of examining the Snapchat search warrants, it was observed that Lesli had distributed illicit material to at least three different males outside of the victims discussed in this case,” a deputy wrote in a supplemental report. “It should be noted that of these males in question, they appeared to be younger adult males.”
It’s not clear how many total alleged victims investigators know of, though the report and court documents indicate at least two: a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old at the school. In at least one instance, Bryant allegedly convinced a minor student to send her a nude photo of himself.
“The situation created by these events brought to light that Lesli was abusing her position within the school to create inappropriate relationships with both current and former students,” the supplemental report states.
Bryant posted a $50,000 bail bond Thursday. While she is out of jail, she may not be alone with any minors other than her children without an adult present. She’s also forbidden from contacting the alleged victims, court documents show.
Her next court hearing is tentatively set for later this month. The investigation remained active as of Thursday, and anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator C. Tapp at 919-245-2964.
