A former Aberdeen police lieutenant has been arrested on multiple felony child sex offense charges following an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Leigh Ann Brooks is charged with five counts of indecent liberties with a child, four counts of statutory rape or sex offense of a child and one count of sex offense in a parental role, according to the SBI.
Aberdeen Police Chief Brian Chavis said the alleged crimes occurred in 2004, before Brooks began her law enforcement career. Brooks joined the Aberdeen Police Department in 2005.
Chavis said the department received a report concerning the alleged crimes on Nov. 30, 2025, and placed Brooks on administrative leave that day. The Aberdeen police chief asked the SBI to investigate on Dec. 2, 2025.
Brooks was terminated from the Aberdeen Police Department after the SBI notified the department that investigators had established probable cause, according to Chavis.
The SBI obtained warrants for Brooks on Wednesday. She was taken into custody by SBI agents and transported to the Hoke County Detention Center, where she was brought before a magistrate and held without bond. Her first court appearance is expected soon.
Chavis said he was “heartbroken for the victim” and commended the courage demonstrated throughout the investigation.
“While Lieutenant Brooks was not employed by the Aberdeen Police Department at the time of the alleged incident, we remain committed to maintaining public trust, accountability, and transparency,” Chavis said in a statement.
Chavis also thanked the SBI and Moore County District Attorney’s Office for their professionalism and partnership throughout the investigation.
The SBI said its investigation remains open and additional information will be released when available.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
A Moore County native who has spent more than 20 years telling stories across North Carolina and beyond. He’s worked with CNN, WRAL, and CBS 17, and now serves as a Video Journalist for ABC11. Patrick has a passion for breaking news and has earned multiple awards for his coverage. He’s also a certified NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter and was among the first news videographers in the state to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.
