Former Sebastopol Cub Scout Leader Pleads No Contest To Child Abuse

A former Sebastopol Cub Scout leader pleaded no contest today in Sonoma County Superior Court to felony child abuse against a minor under age 14, Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

Franklin Lee, 40, pleaded to continuous sexual abuse, oral copulation and sodomy. He faces 18 years and eight months in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 3, Ravitch said.

The three years of sexual assault against the minor, who was not in the Cub Scouts, started when the victim was 12, Ravitch said. Lee had recurring access to the victim and his actions included substantial sexual conduct, Ravitch said.

Lee, who was leader of Pack 128 in Sebastopol, was arrested March 8 by the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Steven Dunn, District Director of the Boy Scouts’ Redwood Empire Council, said Lee was immediately removed and permanently banned from scouting when the allegations came to light.

--Bay City News