Golf Club Manager Accused Of Photographing Teen Found Not Guilty

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The former manager of a Southampton golf course who was charged with taking a photo of a female minor's crotch was found not guilty Thursday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

The Suffolk County returned a not guilty verdict in the trial of Steve Lee, 47, of Ronkonkoma, charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance, Spota said.

Lee, Spota said in a release, allegedly "took a photo of a teen girl from an opaque office window in the Poxabogue Golf Center Pro Shop in Sagaponack while she sat on a bench. The photo showed the girl’s legs apart and her underwear."

The incident took place on July 25, 2015; the trial began last week and jury deliberations started on Wednesday, Spota said.

Shortly after lunch Thursday, the jury sent a note to Judge John Toomey to report they were deadlocked; Judge Toomey directed the jury to resume deliberations and they later requested a read back of the charge of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, Spota said.

Within the hour, the jury returned with the not guilty verdict, Spota said.

In 2015, several employees of the Poxabogue Golf Center informed police that Lee allegedly took a photo of the crotch area of a female minor through a one way window and displayed the photo to them, according to Southampton Town Police.

Lee turned himself in to Southampton Town Police headquarters, where he was processed on charges of second degree unlawful surveillance and endangering the welfare of a child, police said at the time.

Photo: Google street view.