An Ohio Chick-fil-A franchisee was arrested Tuesday after he drove to North Carolina to have sex with a 15-year-old he contacted via social media.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said it was called by a homeowner who initially reported a break-in in progress. When deputies arrived, the homeowner said they found Stacy Lee Austin, 49, in the house with their teenager, WSOC reported.
Investigators said Austin came to North Carolina from Belmont, Ohio, and arranged to pick up the child at their home. He had sex with the child while still at the house, according to deputies, who found his underwear and some of the teen’s clothing in a trashcan in a bathroom.
Austin, a US citizen, confessed and told deputies he was worried he would lose his job as a Chick-fil-A owner, something he apparently didn’t think about before driving to North Carolina, WBNS reported.
He has been charged with a statutory sex offense with a child and is being held with no bond.
Chick-fil-A pointed out to WSOC that Austin “is an independent franchise owner, but as the investigation and legal process continues, he will not be present in the restaurant.”
“We have zero tolerance for the type of serious conduct alleged,” the Georgia-based company said.
No other details were released.
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[Featured image: Stacy Lee Austin/Rowan County Sheriff’s Office]
