A counselor at a trauma treatment program in Queen Creek, Arizona, has been arrested and accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor. According to police, Christopher Lamont Allen, 48, was taken into custody on September 4 on two counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
Allen worked as a “coach counselor” at Desert Lily Academy, a residential program for girls with histories of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The facility is operated by Rite of Passage. Police said Allen was responsible for monitoring children who lived in cottages on the campus.
The investigation began after a 17-year-old girl reported to other staff members that Allen had engaged in sex acts with her. At the time of the incident, the girl was sleeping on a couch near Allen’s staff desk because she was under supervision due to being at risk of running away or harming herself.
Police allege that after midnight on July 27, Allen met the teen twice in a closet where they engaged in sex acts for several minutes. Surveillance footage reportedly showed both entering the closet together.
Following the report and subsequent investigation, Allen was suspended from his job on September 3 and arrested the next day. His bail has been set at $150,000 and his next court hearing is scheduled for September 11.
Rite of Passage did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment as of September 8.
According to police statements, “She was at risk of ‘running away and harming herself,’” and “the teen girl had a history of being sex trafficked in Texas and previously had been ‘the victim of sex crimes by a person in a position of trust.’”
Desert Lily Academy focuses on assisting girls who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Queen Creek is located within the Phoenix metropolitan area.
